The Monfort Bat Sanctuary on Samal Island in Davao del Norte is an important center for bat conservation and ecological education, which providing a home to over 2 million individual bats.
This sanctuary is a renowned ecotourism destination, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for hosting the largest single colony of Geoffroy’s Rousette fruit bats in the world.
Guests can observe large clusters of bats from designated viewpoints outside the cave entrances and gain insights into their essential role within the ecosystem.
The sanctuary is located about a kilometer east of Davao City, in Barangay Tambo, Babak District, in the Island Garden City of Samal, just a short ferry ride across the Davao Gulf.
Initially overseen by the Iñigo-Monfort family, the sanctuary was founded in 1973 by Norma Monfort to safeguard the bats from hunting and other threats. Following her passing in 2022, her daughter Diana Monfort has continued the conservation efforts through the Philippine Bats for Peace Foundation.
The bats reside in the 245-foot (75-meter) long Monfort Cave, where they cover about 75% of the ceilings and walls. Visitors can observe the bats from outside any of the cave’s five entrances, as access to the cave’s interior is restricted to avoid disturbing the colony.
The sanctuary is home to the Geoffrey’s Rousette Fruit Bat (Rousetteus amplexicaudatus). These nocturnal fruit bats play a crucial role in pollination and seed dispersal for native fruit-bearing trees and plants, including durian, dragon fruit, and dama de noche, contributing to regional forest regeneration and agricultural productivity.
Predators in the cave environment include pythons, scorpions, and rats, which help sustain ecological balance. The bats’ droppings, known locally as guano, serve as a natural fertilizer that enhances soil fertility.
The most spectacular time to observe the bats is during their daily circadian flight at sunset, when the millions of bats begin their nightly flight out of the cave to forage for food. Daytime visits provide an opportunity to observe bats gathering on the walls and ceilings of the cave.
Knowledgeable guides offer an informative orientation, and guided tours are available for those seeking a more in-depth educational experience.
The Monfort Bat Sanctuary has gained international acclaim, including a Guinness World Record for having the largest single colony of its kind. It functions not only as a conservation site but also as a center for scientific research, educational initiatives, and community engagement.
Plans have been proposed for a “chiropterium”, an artificial bat cave designed to alleviate overcrowding and support the increasing bat population.
Collaborations at both local and national levels, involving government and environmental organizations, continue to promote habitat preservation and population management initiatives.
In brief, the Monfort Bat Sanctuary stands as a distinctive destination for eco-tourism, wildlife education, and conservation awareness, making it an essential stop for nature lovers, students, and travelers interested in biodiversity and ecological sustainability.