Philippine naked-backed fruit bat

The Philippine naked-backed fruit bat, also known as the Philippine bare-backed fruit bat, is a captivating species of megabat predominantly found on Negros Island in the Philippines, with smaller populations existing on Cebu Island. These bats are renowned for their remarkable agility in flight, facilitated by their wings, which converge along the midline of their bodies. They prefer to roost in dark caves where minimal light penetrates.

Historically, these bats were quite abundant, and their guano was even harvested by miners for use as a natural fertilizer. However, the mid-1980s marked a turning point, as the expansion of sugar cane plantations led to extensive deforestation, drastically reducing their numbers. By 1996, the IUCN had declared them extinct. Miraculously, they were rediscovered in 2000, yet they remain precariously few in number.

At night, these bats forage for fruits within local rainforests, showing a preference for limestone caves in forested areas. Their survival is imperiled by deforestation and hunting for their meat. Additional threats include climate change, which disrupts their breeding seasons, and low genetic diversity due to their shrinking population.

Fortunately, conservation efforts are underway. In the municipality of Carmen on Cebu Island, protective measures have been implemented. Reforestation projects are also progressing, and the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act provides some legal support for their protection. The bat has become a symbol of conservation efforts, with Bat Conservation International designating it as a priority species for conservation.