Constructions disturbs Bats Habitat in Boracay-study

Jun Ariolo n. Aguirre

Boracay Island- While tourism industry continuous to surge in this resort island, both foreign and Filipino conservationists called on the stakeholders to preserve the endemic bat species as their characteristics were disturbed by the continuous construction of the increasing numbers of resorts and establishments in this resort island.

In a copy of the final report made available by Filipino researchers Harvey John Garcia and Ma. Renee P. Lorica funded by the Haribon Foundation, they recommend that bats particularly the Golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon Jubatus) will be adapted as the flagship specie of this resort island.

“This will not only promote awareness to conserve the critically endangered bats of Boracay as stated in the IUCN 2004 but will also promote local pride as an added attractions for the tourists,” Garcia told this writer.

They also recommended the review on delineation of buffer zones for the roosts and possible designation as critical habitat for this resort island.

Garcia and Lorica are among the pioneering Filipino researchers of bats here. Their latest mission is to study the patterns of roost site use of the large flying foxes in this resort island. Their researches have lasted for almost six months here.

“The flying foxes of Boracay Island play an important role in regenerating the forests of Northwest Panay and the island itself. However, they are currently threatened by development. Human activities in disturbed areas like Boracay have significant effects on wildlife, but little is known as to the specifics,” the researchers said.

The roost site of the Golden-crowned flying fox and the two other bat species the large fruit bat (Pterupos vampyrus lanensis) and the Island flying fox (P. hypomenalus cagayanus)are found in precaurious number in Boracay. Among them can be found in Barangay Yapak within Puka Beach and Ilig-iligan beach.

“We encountered challenges regarding entry to roosts and other areas in the island for roost search transects. Parts of roosts in Puka beach, Brgy Yapak (Area A and B) is currently being developed, this restricts some trails and historical roost trees cannot be verified. Most areas in the island especially beach fronts are privately owned and owners are often difficult to get in touch with. We conducted discussions with stakeholders and partnered with the LGU’s and NGO’s to gain access to these areas,” Garcia added.

In 2005, the defunct concerned environmentalist Friends of Flying Foxes declared the month of October as the Bat Month for Boracay but planned activities and projects were not materialized because of lack of funding and support from the stakeholders and the local government.

In an earlier interviews, German conservationist Ferit Temur of the Biological Conservation of the Philippines (BIOCON) based in nearby Pandan, Antique while the bats are being impressed as horrible creatures they are largely helping in the regeneration of forests in Boracay and in nearby areas.

“The bats also are protecting the tourists from the invasion of insects in Boracay because the bats eats thousands of pests and insects everyday,” Temur said.