Guardians of the Forest: Colony of rare giant fruit bats sighted in Flora, Apayao

FEATURE

Known for its vast forests that serve as a habitat for white-winged flying foxes, Apayao once again highlighted its rich biodiversity after a colony of giant fruit bats was recently sighted in the Municipality of Flora.

The discovery was made during a two-week biodiversity monitoring mission conducted in April by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Calanasan, in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Apayao and the Local Government Unit of Flora.

What began as a routine expedition to monitor threatened wildlife led to the unexpected sighting of the bat colony. According to field observers, as cited by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Cordillera (DENR-CAR), the presence of these bats is a positive indicator of a healthy forest ecosystem.

Giant fruit bats play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, particularly in seed dispersal and forest regeneration—making their presence a sign that Apayao’s forests continue to thrive.

The sighting underscores the importance of protecting the province’s natural habitats, as these forests remain crucial sanctuaries for wildlife.

What are giant fruit bats?

Giant fruit bats, commonly referred to as frugivores or fruit-eaters, belong to the flying fox group—among the largest bats in the world. Some species can reach a wingspan of up to 1.5 meters.

These bats are typically found in tropical forests and are nocturnal, roosting in large groups in trees during the day and foraging for fruits at night.

Threats and conservation

Adult giant fruit bats have few natural predators due to their size and nocturnal behavior. They may occasionally be preyed upon by Philippine eagles, large hawks, snakes, or civets, but these are not the primary causes of their decline.

The greater threats come from human activities such as deforestation, hunting, and disturbance of their roosting sites.

How rare are they?

While fruit bats are not globally rare as a group, species found in the Philippines are considered endangered and are becoming increasingly uncommon, especially in disturbed habitats.

In the Cordillera region, their population is generally declining as many former roosting sites have disappeared due to environmental degradation. However, in protected and remote forests—such as parts of Apayao and areas along the Sierra Madre—they can still form noticeable colonies.