Fruit bat colonies found in Apayao biodiversity expedition

THRIVING Endemic flying fox colonies were documented during a 10-day biodiversity monitoring mission in the forests of Flora, Apayao, from April 20 to April 30, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The fruit bats were found thriving in remote, closed-canopy forests far from human settlements. —PHOTO COURTESY OF DENR-CENRO CALANASAN

TUGUEGARAO CITY—Colonies of the endemic giant golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus) and the large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) were documented during a 10-day biodiversity monitoring mission in the forests of Apayao from April 20 to April 30, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

Dorothy Cayaba, officer in charge of the DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) in Calanasan, said the fruit bats were found thriving in remote, closed-canopy forests far from human settlements and hunting areas.

“They are very far from the community. They are in a closed forest that requires a hike of about four hours,” Cayaba told the Inquirer on Friday.

She said the expedition—conducted by DENR-Cenro Calanasan in coordination with the Apayao provincial government and the municipality of Flora—forms part of efforts to track threatened wildlife across the province.

In a statement, DENR-Cenro Calanasan said the confirmed presence of large flying fox colonies has become a key conservation finding, noting their ecological importance.

‘Living barometer’

“As vital seed dispersers and a primary prey source for the Philippine Eagle, flying foxes serve as a living barometer of the region’s ecological health,” the agency said.

It added: “Their presence in significant numbers suggests a functioning and biologically diverse ecosystem capable of supporting higher trophic species.”

According to DENR, while no direct sighting of the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) was recorded, a local guide reported hearing its distinct call—an encouraging sign of its possible presence in the area.

The Apayao forests, a Unesco-designated biosphere reserve inscribed on July 5, 2024, cover a 350,900-hectare landscape composed of a 179,000-ha transition zone, 168,720-ha buffer zone, and a 48,254-ha strict protection zone.

DENR Cordillera director Paquito Moreno said wildlife teams are continuing fieldwork across the biosphere this month, including follow-up monitoring linked to “Nariha Kabugao,” a Philippine eagle rescued and rehabilitated in 2024 before being released back into the wild.

“Nariha”—an Isneg term meaning “beautiful”—has since been tracked establishing a nest in Apayao’s forests, reinforcing evidence that the province supports a resident eagle population.

Surveys

Moreno said the ongoing surveys are being conducted in habitats shared with fruit bats, underscoring their role in the ecosystem.

“These flying foxes are part of the ecological food chain that sustains apex predators like the Philippine eagle,” he said.

Moreno also noted that neighboring Cordillera provinces have recorded multiple eagle sightings, strengthening regional conservation efforts.

Local officials have been pushing for expanded funding for biodiversity research amid growing discoveries in the province’s vast forests, including the rare and critically endangered Cantor’s giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii) recently recorded in the Apayao River in Pudtol.

Apayao Gov. Elias Bulut Jr. and Rep. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang earlier called for enhanced baseline studies and habitat assessments, citing the province’s biodiversity importance.

Bulut raised the concern during the first quarterly session of the Cordillera Regional Development Council on March 26. His sister wrote to Environment Secretary Jose Miguel Cuna to endorse the need for baseline data gathering on threatened species in Apayao forest.

Moreno said initial funding support of about P300,000 may be sourced from the DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau for surveys in areas where softshell turtles have been sighted, while coordinating with the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in Singapore for technical assistance.

He also noted the need to address the presence of invasive Chinese softshell turtles in some areas, which conservationists said may require relocation measures.

“Our commitment to the Apayao Biosphere Reserve goes beyond designation. It is a continuous mission of vigilance and discovery,” Moreno said.

He added: “We remain hopeful for more Philippine eagle sightings while documenting species like flying foxes that highlight the region’s exceptional biodiversity.”