Flying foxes shock residents in Zamboanga City

Several groups of giant bats or flying foxes hanging on trees is an unexpected scenery for the residents in Zamboanga City.

As seen on the “24 Oras” report of GMA Regional TV One Mindanao’s Efren Mamac on Tuesday, the bats were flying around and grouped together on the branches of large acacia trees.

Flying foxes can be found in Zamboanga, however, this is the first time that they were spotted within a busy urban center.

“Nagulat kami. First time silang makita dito. Naging instant tourist spot na ngayon,” said one resident named Ramil Rafols.

(We were surprised. This is the first time that we have seen this. This area has been transformed into an instant tourist spot.)

Others, including Danile Rafols, meanwhile, was alarmed at the drove of flying foxes in his neighborhood. He added that this is because the foxes are very big and they don’t know where they came from.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 9, the people should not be afraid of the presence of flying foxes.

The flying foxes are herbivores that eat fruits, flowers, and nectars and they also help with pollination and seed dispersal.

There are flying foxes found in some areas in Zamboanga but this is the first time that they are seen within the city proper.

They may have moved to the city because their natural habitat had been disturbed.

Michael Dela Cruz, OIC-Chief of DENR PENRO, Zamboanga Sibugay’s technical services division said the flying foxes might have arrived in the city’s center as their natural habitats were disturbed.

“Under sa Wildlife Act natin, hindi pwedeng i-disturb kung saan sila dumadaan at yung feeding lalo na yung nasa mga urban center. Naghahanap ‘yan sila ng shelter,” he said.

(Under the Wildlife Act, the wild life should not be disturbed where they cross or eat especially those in the urban center. They are looking for shelter.)

“Isa na ang climate change pero nag-migrate na sila kung saan sila safe,” he added.

(This movement of the flying foxes may be one of the effects of climate change. They migrate to areas where they think they are safe.) -- Franchesca Viernes/BAP, GMA News