LEBAK, Sultan Kudarat — A significant population of endangered flying foxes, estimated between 2,800 to 3,500 individuals, has been recorded roosting in a mangrove forest along the shoreline of Barangay Datu Karon, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Kalamansig.
The discovery was made during a bat sighting activity conducted on May 1, 2025, in partnership with the Lebak Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), the Municipal Tourism Office, and the barangay government of Datu Karon.
Preliminary findings reveal that approximately 90% of the roosting bats belong to the giant golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus), an endangered megabat species endemic to the Philippines. Known as one of the largest bat species in the world, the golden-crowned flying fox plays a vital ecological role as a seed disperser and pollinator, contributing to the regeneration of native forests.
The species, however, is under increasing threat from habitat destruction and hunting. It is listed as Endangered under DENR Administrative Order No. 2004-15.
In light of this discovery, CENRO Kalamansig has urged the local government of Lebak and barangay officials in Datu Karon to take immediate steps toward conservation. Among the recommended actions are the regular monitoring of the bat population and the enactment of a Local Conservation Area (LCA) ordinance to legally protect the site and the species.
“This discovery emphasizes the ecological importance of our mangrove ecosystems and the urgent need to safeguard them,” CENRO Kalamansig said in a statement. “Protecting these bats means protecting the forests they help regenerate.”
Efforts are now underway to develop long-term strategies involving the DENR, local government units, and community stakeholders to ensure the continued protection of the bat roost for future generations.
Environmentalists hope that the presence of the endangered bats can also boost eco-tourism potential in the area while promoting awareness and action toward wildlife conservation.