3,273 flying foxes documented in Flora, Apayao; DENR eyes stronger habitat protection

FLORA, Apayao — A total of 3,273 flying foxes, including 34 golden-crowned flying foxes, were documented in the forests of Flora during threatened species monitoring, prompting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to consider stronger protection for the area through a possible Critical Habitat designation.

The golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus) is a megabat endemic to the Philippines and is found mainly in primary and secondary forests. It is considered one of the world’s largest bat species and plays an important role in forest regeneration through seed dispersal.

The documentation was conducted during the second-semester threatened species monitoring from August 11 to 20, 2026, when OIC Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer of DENR-CENRO Calanasan Dorothy Joy C. Cayaba and the monitoring team found that the flying fox colony had moved from its previously recorded roosting site to a new area covering about seven hectares.

In an interview with Guru Press on October 2, Cayaba said the team documented 3,273 flying foxes, composed of 34 golden-crowned flying foxes and 3,239 large flying foxes.

Cayaba described the documentation as challenging, noting that the actual number of flying foxes in the colony could be higher because of their sensitivity to disturbance.

“Their actual number is likely greater than what we were able to count. Counting them was quite challenging because they are highly sensitive to disturbance, even the slightest sound can cause them to fly away, making it difficult for us to observe and count the entire colony,” Cayaba said.

She also said the exact location of the roosting site could not be disclosed due to protocols intended to protect threatened wildlife, including the Philippine eagle.

Biodiversity, intact forest cited for Critical Habitat proposal

Beyond the documentation of flying foxes and other wildlife, Cayaba said the field assessment provided a basis for considering the Flora forest area as a Critical Habitat, citing its biodiversity, habitat features and importance to the Apayaos Biosphere Reserve.

“The proposal to consider the area in Flora as a Critical Habitat is based on the combination of factors documented during our field assessment. Most importantly, the area supports a significant concentration of threatened and wildlife species, including the golden-crowned flying fox, large flying fox, rufous hornbill, Luzon hornbill, and the critically endangered Philippine eagle,” she said.

Cayaba said the proposed Critical Habitat could serve as a partnership among the DENR, local government units, communities and other stakeholders.

She emphasized that the objective is not only to protect a designated area but also to ensure that the forest remains a safe and functioning habitat for wildlife.

The area provides essential habitat features, including mature trees for roosting and nesting, forest vegetation for food and shelter, and a relatively undisturbed environment where wildlife can persist.

Cayaba urges communities to help protect forests

Cayaba also emphasized the role of local communities in sustaining the area’s biodiversity, saying conservation efforts should involve people who live in and depend on the forests.

“Our forests are not just places where wildlife happens to live—they are living ecosystems that sustain both biodiversity and our communities. When we protect their habitat, we are also protecting the forests that provide us with clean water, prevent erosion, regulate our environment, and support our communities,” she said.

She encouraged communities to view themselves not only as beneficiaries of conservation but also as stewards of the forest.

Among the simple conservation measures she cited were avoiding the hunting or disturbance of wildlife, protecting trees and forest habitats, and sharing information about the importance of threatened species.

“If we protect the forest, we protect the wildlife. And when we protect the wildlife and their habitat, we are ultimately protecting our own future,” Cayaba said.

The documentation further highlights the biodiversity of Apayao, whose forests provide habitat for diverse and threatened wildlife.

As home to the Biosphere Reserve of the Apayaos (BRyA), identified in the article as the country’s fourth UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve, the findings underscore the importance of continued wildlife monitoring and habitat conservation to protect the province’s natural heritage.