Global News - September 2007

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New fruit bat species discovered in the Philippines

Mon 17 September 2007 17:00 UK — Asia

A team of researchers have discovered a new species of large fruit bat on the island of Mindoro in the Philippines.

The country's Department of Environment and Natural Resources and a team from the University of Kansas Biodiversity Research Center in the US made the discovery during a research trip last year.

Local expert Dr Mundita Lim told the Philippine Star newspaper that the teams believe that the Mindoro stripe-faced fruit bat is unique to the area and could be endangered.

"The bat is very colourful; most of its hair is orange and it sports three white stripes on its face as well as a black beard, which distinguishes it from all other known fruit bats," Dr Lim explained to the publication.

"This discovery is illustrative of how little we know about Philippine biodiversity and the need for continued research all over the country."

The tamaraw, or Mindoro dwarf buffalo, is another animal which is endemic to the island of Mindoro. This creature is currently listed as being critically endangered.

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