Endangered flying fox nursing behavior documented in Cotabato

Photo courtesy of DENR Soccsksargen

MANILA, Philippines — Environment officials have documented a rare instance of nursing behavior between an endangered large flying fox mother and her pup during a wildlife monitoring activity in Cotabato earlier this month.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-12 Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Matalam recorded the behavior during semestral monitoring conducted from June 2 to 4, 2026.

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The observation offered a rare look into the reproductive life of the large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus), an endangered species whose mating behavior was also documented in the same area in November 2025.

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Monitoring teams likewise counted about 25,000 large flying foxes roosting in 39 trees along a valley within the site.

According to DENR, large flying foxes reproduce slowly, typically giving birth to only one pup at a time. Mothers nurse their young for four to six months and carry them while flying, with pups feeding from a specialized teat located near the mother’s armpit.

READ: 160,000 flying foxes found in Cotabato forest

Newborn pups depend heavily on their mothers for warmth and protection because they cannot regulate their body temperature during their early weeks.

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As the pups grow heavier at around three to six weeks old, mothers leave them in large roosting colonies, known as crèches, while foraging. They later reunite through distinct high-pitched calls that allow mothers and pups to recognize one another among thousands of bats.

The large flying fox plays an important ecological role as a pollinator and seed disperser, helping regenerate forests across vast landscapes.

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The species faces threats from habitat loss, hunting, and persecution associated with concerns over crop damage and disease transmission.

The large flying fox is classified as Endangered under DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09. It is also listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and conservation efforts.

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