18/10/2026
A Philippine flying lemur (Cynocephalus volans), locally known as the kagwang, was documented during a biodiversity monitoring activity at Mt. Apo Natural Park from April 13 to 18, 2026, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Soccsksargen. The encounter was recorded by the park's Protected Area Management Office in Cotabato during a Biodiversity Monitoring System activity. The nocturnal mammal was initially observed resting on a Mayapis tree when crows reportedly attacked it, prompting the animal to glide toward a nearby Almon tree and conceal itself among dense foliage. Although the kagwang is native to the region, direct sightings can be uncommon because of its nocturnal behavior and ability to remain concealed in forest vegetation.
Despite its name, the Philippine flying lemur is neither a true lemur nor an animal capable of powered flight. It belongs to the mammalian order Dermoptera, a group commonly known as colugos. Its most remarkable adaptation is a broad membrane called the patagium, which extends between its neck, limbs, fingers, toes, and tail, allowing it to glide between trees over distances that can reach approximately 100 meters. The kagwang spends much of its life in trees and feeds primarily on leaves, flowers, and fruits. Female colugos also display unusual maternal care by carrying their young against their bodies, protected by folds of their gliding membranes. Endemic to the Philippines, the species occurs across several islands in the southern part of the country, including Mindanao, Bohol, Samar, and Leyte.
The documented encounter provides valuable information for wildlife monitoring and reinforces the importance of conserving forest habitats within Mt. Apo Natural Park. The kagwang is also ecologically significant as a prey species for the critically endangered Philippine Eagle, particularly in Mindanao. Although the Philippine flying lemur is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, it still faces threats from habitat destruction, forest degradation, and hunting in some areas. Importantly, observing a kagwang does not automatically prove that an entire forest ecosystem is healthy or undisturbed, since the species can also inhabit secondary forests and modified landscapes. Continued biodiversity monitoring, habitat protection, and responsible forest management remain essential to understanding and conserving the wildlife of Mt. Apo and other Philippine forests.
Photo Courtesy: DENR Soccsksargen
Science Department |
