FLYING FOX MONITORING

During the monitoring, the bats started to disperse at exactly 5:25 in the afternoon to search for food on the nearby river while others stayed at their roosting site to rest.

 

A total of 9,185 Flying Foxes (bats) were counted during the exit count through estimation and clickers.

 

Biologist Gerrie Mae Flores confirmed and recognized the presence of Island Flying Fox (Pteropus hypomelanus) and Large Flying Fox (Pteropus vampyrus) which are the most dominant species in the monitoring site.

 

Meanwhile, another 4,081 bats roosting from 37 snag trees were also counted. It was observed that the dense understory or the underlying layer of vegetation, especially the plants that grow beneath a forest's canopy protects the bats from disturbances of land-based animals and humans.

 

The thriving presence of the said flying mammals is an indication that the area is a suitable habitat for this wildlife as it provides a variety of roosting locations, including cool positions on hot and sunny days and sheltered positions on cold days.

 

Said monitoring activity was spearheaded by (Protected Area and Wildlife Section) PAWS Unit Chief Forester Rosie R. Camiguing together with PAWS support staff and a composite team from PENRO Cotabato. (With photos and report from CENRO Matalam)