The Taiwan Flying-Fox, a class-one protected species appeared for the first time in Hualien yesterday.

The endangered animal, with a wingspan of up to 100-cm, is the biggest species of bat in Taiwan and was found among the trees in Hualien’s Cultural Creative Industries Park.

The bat eats mainly fruits, flowers, and soft leaves, and plays a vital role in the pollination of flowers and the spreading of seeds.

Park manager Fu Ting-Wei says the bat may have been attracted to the park’s fruit trees during their flowering season, and the high, dense foliage there which offers a good environment to roost.

Park visitors should avoid disturbing the bat and other local wildlife to offer them a friendly environment, encourages Fu.

 

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