A family residing in Clarin, Misamis Occidental, has taken it upon themselves to rescue and care for a bat that inadvertently entered their home. The bat, affectionately named Kerew, is a type of megabat, commonly referred to as a fruit bat or flying fox.
According to a report by Kuya Kim on “24 Oras,” which aired on August 21, the family discovered Kerew in May when it fell onto their wall. Carmel Doldolia, a member of the family, explained that they were not frightened by the bat, as their area is home to many bats. “It fell on our wall, and my husband spotted it. He picked it up. Since it couldn”t fly yet, we decided to care for it,” she stated.
The family has been nurturing Kerew by feeding it milk three times a day, along with various fruits. “So far, it has eaten watermelon, mango, langsat, and papaya,” Carmel added. They have created a comfortable environment for Kerew, allowing it to hang on a piece of clothing inside their house.
While many social media users found Carmel”s videos of Kerew entertaining, others expressed concern regarding the family”s choice to keep a bat as a pet. Bats are known carriers of certain viruses that can transmit to humans. Jay Fedelino, a wildlife biologist from the Institute of Biology at the University of the Philippines Diliman, noted, “Some bats are known reservoirs for various viruses that could potentially jump to humans.” He also warned that handling bats can pose risks, stating, “We must remember that just because the bat has become accustomed to the family, it does not eliminate potential hazards.” Furthermore, Fedelino emphasized that keeping bats as pets is illegal without the necessary government permits.
Carmel clarified that the family does not intend to keep Kerew indefinitely. “It still needs care since it cannot fly yet, but we plan to release it once it has learned to fly properly,” she said.
Kuya Kim elaborated that flying foxes, or fruit bats like Kerew, are herbivorous creatures known for consuming fruits, flowers, and nectar. They play a crucial role in pollination and seed dispersal, aiding in the transfer of pollen between flowers and helping to spread seeds across various regions, which supports forest regeneration.
