Samal Island Fruit Bats Into Guinness World Records
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Photo courtesy batsanctuary.org
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13th January 2010; Samal Island – Philippine fruit bats that roost on Samal Island were officially accorded the Guinness World Record of largest colony of any fruit bat species. On any given day approximately 1.8 million Geoffroy’s rousette fruit bats (rousettus amplexicaudatus) inhabit the Monfort Bat Cave on Samal Island.
The Monfort Bat Cave & Conservation Foundation aims to protect the Samal Island fruit bats through research programs that lead to better education and conservation of habitat. Education programs will foster a greater understanding of the role of fruit bats and dispel the myth that fruit bats compete with humans for food when the reverse is actually true. Samal Island and the nearby provinces of Davao would not enjoy such an abundance of durian and other tropical fruits if it were not for centuries of natural seed and fertilizer dispersal undertaken free of charge by the fruit bats.
The Monfort Bat Cave is about one hour from Davao International Airport. The best way to visit the Monfort Bat Cave is to make a reservation at a Samal Island beach resort. A good Samal Island beach resort will pick you up from Davao International Airport and provide transport & official tour guides, so that you can not only reach the Monfort Bat Cave in comfort but also enjoy the other caves and waterfalls that define Samal Island as a primary Philippine eco tourism destination.
Samal Island is already well known as one of the premier snorkeling and scuba diving destinations in the Philippines – with beautiful corals, abundant reef fish, resident hawksbill sea turtles and frequent visits by whale sharks – now it will also be known for its fruit bats, caves and waterfalls.
GetWet recommended Samal Island beach resorts: Hof Gorei Beach Resort – tropical garden tranquility, luxuriant in Mother Nature’s bounty, with secluded cottages and an excellent international menu; Punta Del Sol Beach Resort – classic Philippine beach resort with choice of cottages plus dormitory accommodation for large groups. For more information check out the links below.
Links:
Samal Island webcam
Monfort Bat Cave & Conservation Foundation Samal Island
Hof Gorei Beach Resort Samal Island
Punta Del Sol Beach Resort Samal Island
Davao International Airport and Samal Island