Volunteers and conservation workers on Guam, Saipan and Tinian recently counted a total of 269 fanihi, or Marianas fruit bats, on the islands.
During an early morning count in April before Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the teams counted 241 bats on Guam, 24 on Saipan and four on Tinian, according to a news release from the Navy.
The initiative started in 2014 at Andersen Air Force Base and has since grown to include volunteers and partner agencies from across Marianas.
Beyond data collection, the annual counts serve as an important outreach effort, helping raise awareness about the fanihi’s ecological role and the threats it faces, including habitat loss and poaching.