TAWI-TAWI — The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) and its provincial office in Tawi-Tawi joined on November 13-14, the “Born to be Wild” crew of GMA-7 in the latter’s assessment of flying foxes colony existing in Bongao Church Compound, at Barangay Pagasa, and a site visit to Bud Bongao Conservation Area.
“One of its unique characteristics is its capability to thrive near human settlements and semi-urban areas, contrary to popular belief that these bat species only occur in the forests, mountains, and caves,” said Community ENRE Officer Abdulmukim J. Maruji.
Known to locals as ‘kabog’, population of small and big flying foxes is common in Tawi-Tawi. However, golden-crowned kabog are endangered.
MENRE assists local government units in documenting wildlife species in the province aimed at developing better conservation and preservation strategies.
Born to be Wild educational show occasionally highlights crocodile species in Panglima Sugala, bats in Panglima Sugala and Bongao, and Slow Lorises in Simunul Island for the continued assessment of local conservation area in Bongao Peak or Bud Bongao.
Meanwhile in April this year, field trainers and trainees composed of PENREO Tawi-Tawi officials joined the Philippine Biodiversity, Inc. (PhilBio) in identifying and determining the population count of kabog in Bongao.
In their assessment, they observed the presence of three flying fox species such as the Golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jabatus), Large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus), and Island flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus). (Bangsamoro Information Office/File Photo of Nils Bouillard-Unsplash)
