An “Environmental Theater Group” of Negros Island schoolchildren in perform a program focused on biodiversity during a fiesta mass in The Philippines. Photo courtesy of Apolinario Cariño

Fruit Bats of the Philippines

The 14 species of fruit bats on the Philippine island of Negros face dire threats from habitat destruction and unregulated hunting. Natural populations have been pushed to the brink of extinction. The Center for Tropical Conservation Studies (CenTrop), with support from Bat Conservation International's Global Grassroots Conservation Fund, is attacking the problem on several fronts.

Negros' burgeoning human population and the associated disappearance of forestland severely stresses all of the island's exotic suite of wildlife, with many species now listed as threatened or endangered. Continued unrestricted hunting could now deliver the coup de grâce. A major achievement of CenTrop was its important role in winning a five-year ban on the hunting of wildlife on the island. The center, based at Silliman University on Negros, also conducted seminars and discussions with officials to push enforcement of the ordinance.

Led by Apolinario Cariño, CenTrop is conducting a range of education programs to convince the public, especially children, of the importance of fruit bats to the island's environmental and economic health.

Fruit-bat programs were presented to 16 schools, civic groups and day-care centers, while three elementary schools formed “environmental clubs” to learn more about bats and biodiversity through field trips and classroom activities.

Theater Arts Workshops, sponsored through Silliman University and the San Pedro Academy, encourage young people to address environmental and social issues while developing skills in creative expression. A school in San Pedro organized an “Environmental Theater Group” and presented a play depicting biodiversity issues during the Annual Town Fiesta Mass.

CenTrop also used its Global Grassroots grant to help fund bat surveys to document species diversity and the health of populations. Captive-breeding programs are under way for the endangered golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus), among the heaviest of the world's bats at up to 2.6 pounds (1.2 kg), which is found only in The Philippines, and the vulnerable white-winged flying fox (Pteropus leucopterus). CenTrop has the only captive individuals of both species.

The center is also developing with local officials a management plan for the Twin Lakes Natural Park and is working on an ecotourism project that should demonstrate the direct economic benefits of maintaining natural areas and biodiversity.

BCI's Global Grassroots Conservation Fund supports local bat-conservation and education efforts around the world through rather modest grants (typically $1,000 to $2,500 each), advice, and/or educational materials. The impact of these grants is multiplied by the tireless work of local volunteers and often benefits further from favorable exchange rates and matching funds. Unfortunately, due to current economic conditions, this fund is exhausted, meaning that wonderful volunteers and their projects cannot be helped. If you would like to adopt a project, contact Denise Meikel at dmeikel@batcon.org or (512) 327-9721.

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BCI is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to the conservation of bats and bat habitats worldwide, and is recognized as the international leader in bat conservation, research and management initiatives. The organization employs a staff of 39 and is supported by 14,000 members in 70 countries.