
Bacolod City- They fly on wings of leather, blacken the sky and kept everyone in amazement. What can it be?
A colony of Common Island Flying Fox (Pteropus hypomelanus) monitored roosting in a residential area at Brgy. 30, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental was recently investigated by a team of biologists and personnel from the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP).
On initial investigation, the team identified them as the Golden-crowned Flying Foxes (Acedon jubatus) but a much closer scrutiny has ascertained that the bat species belongs to the Common Island Flying Fox (Pteropus hypomelanus).
Residents on the area have recounted to the NNNP monitoring team that the bats have been residing in their area seasonally or at intervals. Such a behavior suggests a migratory pattern.
“Bats are nocturnal and sleep during the day. Those that have taken up residence in Barangay 30 have probably adjusted to the city noise,” concludes DENR PENR Officer Joan Nathaniel F. Gerangaya.
On estimate, the colony numbers to over a thousand and has established a roost among the area’s fruit trees. This behavior could be influenced by seasonal availability of food resources, changes in local habitat conditions, or disturbances in their usual roosting areas.

Bats hold onto the branch of trees upside down by using a special tendon which help locked their toes and talons in place. In this way, they do not need to exert energy while hanging.
Although many people are still afraid of bats due to misconceptions, thinking bats suck blood, carry diseases and are creatures of darkness, they actually play an essential role in keeping an ecosystem balanced. They are the Earth’s natural pest control, plant pollinators and seed dispersal agents thereby helping in the reforestation of areas where they visit. Amazingly, recent studies have estimated that more than $1 billion per year are saved in crop damage and pesticide costs in the US corn industry alone, thanks to the bats’ voracious appetite for pests.
“There is no doubt that the rich biodiversity in Bacolod City have attracted the bats to the area in Brgy. 30. Those Common Island Flying Foxes found a home there. Let us continue protecting and conserving those nocturnal mammals for they play a key role in keeping our ecosystems sustainable,” said OIC Regional Executive Director Raul L. Lorilla of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6./DENR 6