Movement patterns of three species of flying foxes across human-modified landscapes in the Philippines

Effective management of flying foxes (Family Pteropodidae) is hampered by a lack of detailed understanding of their movements, particularly in the context of limiting zoonoses risk. To address this, we used solar-powered GPS tags to track eight flying foxes, mostly males, belonging to three sympatric species (2 Acerodon jubatus, 5 Pteropus hypomelanus, 1 P. vampyrus) in the Philippines to describe their movement patterns and habitat use. The tags transmitted data for a mean of 13 nights (range: 1–45 nights). Across all three species, the mean nightly linear distance flown by a flying fox away from the roost was 10.89 km (A. jubatus = 18.85 km, P. hypomelanus = 7.6 km, P. vampyrus = 11.5 km). Flying foxes were frequently observed using built-up and agricultural areas. Our study supports the mobile nature of flying foxes, is the first to document the movement patterns of P. hypomelanus using GPS tags, and demonstrates that all three species can use habitats heavily modified by humans. To limit zoonoses risk, we recommend protecting flying foxes and their habitats, minimizing bat-human interactions in identified foraging areas, promoting biodiversity conservation, and encouraging collaboration among different stakeholders for the successful management of flying fox populations.