Did you know
that the largest colony of fruit bats in the world is found in the Philippines?
Yes! The Guinness World Record holder of such title is the MONFORT BAT CAVE located in the Island Garden City of Samal, an
island city in the Province of Davao del Norte, Mindanao. This is the first stop of OLANOLOGY'S Samal Island Ultimate Adventure attended by 20 equally adventurous Bloggers and outdoors fanatics organized by yours truly in response to the "Visit Samal Island" summer campaign of the Island Garden City of Samal and the DOT-Region XI Office.
The Monfort
Bat Cave also known as the Monfort Bat
Cave and Conservation Foundation Park is a 24-hectare property owned by the
Monfort Family located in Barangay Tambo, Babak District of the Island Garden
City of Samal.
According to the
early island settlers, the Monfort Bat Cave is just one of the 70 caves that
can be found in the whole Island. Many years ago, the 70 caves of the Island
were homes and shelter to the different bat colonies coming from different
places in the Region. When rapid migration and growing population of the people
in the Island gradually flourished, it became a huge threat to the devastation
of these caves and the bats living inside it. Bat hunting became rampant. Bats
became human food consumption worst a living. Slowly, it resulted to the decreasing
of numbers of bats living in the caves.
During the
World War II, the Japanese Forces used some caves in the island for their shelter
and shield against their enemies. This too has contributed mass devastation of
bat colonies in the caves. Sadly, the caves that were supposed to be their
sanctuary became a trap for the destruction.
Today, among
the 70 caves of Samal Island, only few remains inhabited by huge colonies of bats
and one of those is the Monfort Bat Cave
in Barangay Tambo of Babak District. Monfort
Bat Cave becomes very substantial and year after year the growing number of
bats dwelling in the cave increases significantly. The Monfort Family leads the
preservation of these bats and spearheads the conservation and protection of
these colonies in the Island.
In 2008, upon
the Monfort’s persistent campaign, representatives from the Guinness World
Record visited the cave to determine the specie and number of bats dwelling in
the caves. It was found out that it is the specie of Geoffrey’s Rousette Fruit Bat that lives in Monfort Bat Cave. Surprisingly, it was discovered that their colony
inside the cave is estimated to be of 1.8
million. With this enormous number, Monfort Bat Cave is a certified Guiness World Record holder that houses
the largest colony of fruit bats. Yes,
Monfort Bat Cave is a Guinness World Record holder!
One may ask
why must protect these creatures. You see, the presence of fruit bats is very
essential in our ecology. These bats eat various fruits and in the process,
they distribute seeds in our forest and in the wilds. The process is called
pollination. This significantly resulted to the increase of trees and seedlings
in our forests. For this reason, Monfort Bat Cave and Conservation Foundation
is dedicated for the protection of the bats in the area.
This year, it
is estimated that the number bats inside the Monfort Cave increases to 2.4 million. This great increase has
inspired the Monforts to continue its mission to protect these nocturnal
mammals. They are now starting to improve their facilities and soon turn the
whole area into an eco-park that will focus on the bat conservation and further
research.
MONFORT BAT CAVE is truly
a great pride of the Island Garden City of Samal. A great place worth to visit.
After all, who wouldn’t, it is a Guinness World Record holder.
HOW TO GET THERE:
From Davao City, take an Island Express Bus going to Samal Island then drop off Babak District. From Babak, take a single motorcycle (habal-habal) going to Barangay Tambo where Monfort Bat Cave is situated. No worries, all Samal Folks and habal-habal drivers knows the place.
30 comments
Write commentsI passed by this bat cave in Samal Island, but I wasn't able to visit. maybe next time. Thanks for sharing this. Nice blog. Cheers!:-)
ReplyWow, didn't know that! Tons of bats... what an eerie, amazing sight!
Replygreat photos idol.
Replywalay migawas nga bat mobile Lan?
nice photos as always.. :)
Replyhmmm... makapunta nga dyan minsan..
@ Nonoy - You're welcome. It's time to visit Monfort Bat cave now kasi umabot na sila ng 2.4 million sa dami. :)
Reply@ Pinay Travel Junkie - hahaha. eerie but indeed amazing. :) byaheng Samal na. :)
Reply@ Leo - thank you Leo Bess... :) paniki mobile naa. :)
Reply@ Jasmine - Thanks Jas. Sige, sabay ka sa amo ni Lyntot. :)
Reply(^_^) hi lan
Replyso sad wasn't able to join you going at that cave... do you think the area is accessible by someone who uses crutches?
been here before and was totally amazed. would love to go back to samal island.
Reply@ Aice - Hi Aice. :) Monfort Bat Cave is just perfect for you. Crutches friendly. :) for sure you can make it. :) i will make a repeat of this trip sometime May and will definitely include you on it. :)
Reply@ AdventurousFeet - nice to hear you like Samal Island. Truly a gem of an Island. :)
Replythis should be preserved...
Reply@ Pinoy Adventurista - Yeah. Hand down for the Monfort Family for preserving this. :)
ReplyThanks Olan
Reply@ adz - you're welcome Ian Monfort. :)
ReplyNice shots Olan, puro lagyo akoa mga shots sa bats uy hehehe... Salamat ani na adventure, i really had fun and learned something too... :)
ReplyMy jaws just dropped after seeing that photo of the bats. I'm jealous...
ReplyI just have to comment on this post because the bat photos gave me chills in my spine.
ReplyThey look weird! And i feel weird watching your photos of them. hahaha
Hi Mr Olan,
ReplyI amazed your photo shots about fruit bats. I just want to share the new exciting discovery batcave in my home town Sen. Ninoy Aquino. According to the local study more than 2 million bats found inside the cave. and also I want to share our world class cave known as LAGBASAN Cave according to American Speleologist.If you are interested to see. Contact this No. 09398668880.
We are visiting the Manfort Bat Cave this weekend during our first trip to Davao and Samal. Thanks for sharing :-)
ReplyNice Article, Nice Blog.
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