Discover the World's Largest Single Bat Colony: The Monfort Bat Cave, Samal Island, Philippines

When visiting Samal Island, Philippines, one of the must-see attractions is the Monfort Bat Sanctuary, known for being the largest single bat colony in the world and listed in The Guinness Book of Records. With over 2.3 million Rousette Fruit Bats, this is a nature lover's paradise, especially during sunset when the bats leave the cave.

The Monfort Bat Cave

The Monfort Bat Cave is approximately 75 meters long with a lower main entrance and several top openings that serve as observation points and as a way for the bats to enter and exit. It is not recommended to enter the cave due to the heat and health hazards posed by guano. The surrounding area has ample parking and is home to educational material about the bats and their significance.

A Unique and Important Habitat

In the past, Samal Island was home to many other bat caves with larger populations, but due to human interference, such as mining the guano and hunting the bats as a food source, most of these caves have been deserted. Today, only two smaller bat caves remain on the island, one located at the bottom of The Bito Depression and another undisclosed location.

The Monfort Bat Cave and its surrounding area have been in the possession of the Monfort family since the 1900s, and it is thanks to Miss Norma Monfort, the current owner, that the cave has become what it is today and a strong advocate for the welfare of these creatures. The bats play an important role in the environment of Mindanao as they pollinate the flowers they feed on and spread the seeds they ingest. Some experts believe that this is why there is an abundance of durian trees in Davao City.

Aside from the bats, the cave is also home to large monitor lizards and pythons that feed on injured or sick bats that fall to the cave floor, as well as occasional visits from cats and crows, which account for a small loss to the bat population.

Visiting the Monfort Bat Cave

Visitors are welcome to visit the Monfort Bat Cave during the day, and after sunset by appointment only, with a maximum of 6 persons per group. The best time to visit is when the bats leave the cave starting at 6:00 PM.

A Surprising Discovery

In January 2011, a U.S. cave-mapping expedition made an unusual discovery at the Monfort Bat Cave - a high number of pregnant bats. This was a big surprise as the species does not usually give birth in January and forced the scientists to halt their mapping project. The cause of this bat baby boom remains unknown.