SAGIP SARIHAY #16
Dobsonia chapmani (Philippine Bare-backed Fruit Bat)
Words by Raphael R. Sanvictores
Artwork by Catherine Joyce Trinchera
Description
In the 1970s, Dobsonia chapmani or the Philippine bare-backed fruit bat was declared extinct. It was rediscovered in 2001 in forest patches of Carmen, Cebu (Paguntalan et al., 2004) and in Calatong Forest of Sipalay, Negros Occidental (Alcala et al., 2004) with approximately 50 mature individuals. It has been considered critically endangered by 2006 (Raymundo & Caballes, 2016).
This species is a frugivore: its diet is primarily dependent on fruits. As such, the bat plays a role in seed dispersal. Moreover, the guano or manure of these fruit bats are used as a fertilizer (Heaney et al., 2012; Waldien, 2020).
Locality
D. chapmani is endemic to the islands of Cebu and Negros in the Philippines. Typically, it can be found at an elevation of 860 m above sea level and is known to inhabit lowland forests (Rabor, 1986; Waldien, 2020). However, the remaining extant population are in patches of limestone karst and probably dwells in the caves of this new habitat. (Alcala et al., 2004; Paguntalan et al., 2004).
Threats
Key drivers of the population decline for D. chapmani are persistent habitat destruction and illegal hunting (Raymundo & Caballes, 2016). Several human activities linked to agricultural development including logging, forest fragmentation, conversion of forest land, charcoal production, and guano mining were suggested to have caused the eventual degradation of critical sites where these fruit bats roost (Evans et al., 1993).
Furthermore, gold and copper mining in Cebu also amplified the eventual habitat loss (Paguntalan et al., 2004), which is only aggravated by being subjected to hunting for human consumption as bushmeat and captive breeding for pet trade (Waldien, 2020).
How can we help this endangered species?
Given the uncertainty of the current status of its population, ecological and ethnobiological research for this species are needed to fill in the knowledge gaps. Policies and programs for conservation to be implemented by the local government of Cebu and Negros are crucial for protecting these fruit bats and their habitat. Environmental coordinators can be mobilized for monitoring the areas and caves occupied by the subpopulations and reporting illegal activities. The sociopolitical issues associated with the population decline of D. chapmani should also be addressed to lessen the barriers of such initiatives (Paguntalan et al., 2004; Waldien, 2020)
References
Alcala, E., Paalan, R., Averia, L., & Alcala, A. (2004). Rediscovery of the Philippine bare-backed bat (Dobsonia chapmani Rabor) in southwestern Negros Island, Philippines. Silliman Journal, 45(2), 123–136.
Evans, T., Dutson, G., & Brooks, T. (1993). Cambridge Philippines Rainforest Project 1991: Final Report. BirdLife International.
Heaney, L., B. Ong, B. Tabaranze, G. Rosell-Ambal, D. Balete, E. Alcala, L. Paguntulan, S. Pedregosa, A. Cariño. (2012). Dobsonia chapmani. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Paguntalan, L., Pedregosa, M., & Gadiana, M. (2004). The Philippine Bare-Backed Fruit Bat Dobsonia chapmaniRabor, 1952: Rediscovery and Conservation Status on Cebu Island. Silliman Journal, 45(2), 113–122.
Rabor, D. (1986). Guide to Philippine flora and fauna. Natural Resources Management Center, Ministry of Natural Resources and University of the Philippines.
Raymundo, M., & Caballes, C. (2016). An Insight into Bat Hunter Behavior and Perception with Implications for the Conservation of the Critically Endangered Philippine Bare-Backed Fruit Bat. Journal Of Ethnobiology, 36(2), 382–394. https://doi.org/10.2993/0278-0771-36.2.382
Waldien, D.L. (2020). Dobsonia chapmani. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T6773A22033978. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T6773A22033978.en.
