THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Davao Region (DENR-Davao) documented over 17,000 island flying foxes (Pteropus hypomelanus) and large flying foxes (Pteropus vampyrus) in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental during the 2026 Monitoring of Threatened Species conducted in Barangay Bukid.
“Monitoring bat populations provides valuable information on the health of local ecosystems and supports conservation efforts to protect these important pollinators, seed dispersers, and natural pest controllers,” the agency said on August 4, 2026.
DENR-Davao employed the exit count method, a technique used in wildlife surveys to estimate population size as well as identify roost locations by counting bats as they emerge from their roosts at dusk.
Personnel from DENR-Davao observe the emergence of bats for about 30 minutes before sunset until the bats' activity is no longer observed.
Apart from Jose Abad Santos, large flying foxes are also found on Luban Island, in the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, and in Mount Apo Natural Park.
Flying foxes are protected under Republic Act No. 9147, also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, which prohibits hunting and possessing wildlife without the appropriate license.
One of the unique species found in the Philippines is the island flying fox, which is a small flying fox, or variable flying fox, the smallest member of the flying fox group.
Based on its name, it is usually found on offshore islands, where it roosts in coconut palms and tall trees.
Among mammals, bats are the only species capable of flight. There are around 70 bat species in the country and about 1,400 species worldwide, making them one of the most diverse groups on the planet. RGP
