Taiwan's rare flying foxes draw crowds to Hualien night tours

Taiwan's rare Formosan flying fox, a critically endangered species with a total population of only around 500, has established a significant and stable presence in Hualien City on the main island. This makes Hualien the primary and only stable habitat for the species on Taiwan proper, with an estimated population exceeding 160 individuals.

“

The Formosan flying fox, with its big eyes and protruding mouth, gets its name from its fox-like face. Its body is dark brown, with a ring of yellow fur around its neck, making it quite cute.

The Hualien County Agriculture Department is capitalizing on this unique natural asset by organizing free night-time guided tours. These tours, which began on August 20th, offer the public a chance to observe the flying foxes in their natural urban habitat at Beibin Park. The tours are in high demand, with four of the seven scheduled sessions already fully booked and requiring a waiting list.

During the breeding and pup-rearing season from May to September, the flying foxes are easily spotted in the park at dusk and into the night. They roost in trees like the Chinese Banyan and Sea Grape, often seen hanging upside down, grooming, or feeding. The bats are known for their distinctive appearance, with large eyes and a fox-like face, complemented by dark brown fur and a yellowish collar.

“

The county government's Agriculture Department will hold seven sessions of Formosan flying fox night tours starting the day after tomorrow, the 20th. They are so popular that four sessions are already full and require a waiting list!

Wildlife experts note that mothers with their young have been observed, with the pairs seeking out ripe fruits, particularly the fragrant Chinese Banyan fruit, which they consume for its juice. The bats chew the fruit, extract the juice, and then spit out the fibrous remains. The guided tours, conducted in collaboration with Hui Lan Feng Ecological Company, are led by professional ecological instructors who educate participants about the bats' feeding habits, survival challenges, and how they coexist within an urban environment. Strict observation rules are in place to avoid disturbing the animals, including a ban on using flashlights.

“

This year, we have also recorded mother flying foxes with their babies, flying and searching for fragrant Chinese Banyan fruits.