Where have What Phnom Penh's flying foxes gone?
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Where have What Phnom Penh's flying foxes gone?
https://m.phnompenhpost.com/lifestyle/w ... ly-absent-
Phnom Penh’s urban landscape has long been home to a fascinating yet elusive species: the flying fox, whose “sanctuary tree” in the capital is even marked on Google Maps.
These large fruit bats, known for their impressive wingspans of up to 1.5 metres, have made their roosts around Wat Phnom, delighting both locals and international tourists with their nightly flights and their critical role in the local ecosystem.
However, recently, something has changed – an entire troop of these bats seems to have vanished from their iconic perches, leaving many to wonder what happened to them.
For years, visitors to Wat Phnom have marvelled at the spectacle of thousands of flying foxes hanging upside down in the trees surrounding the area. Tourists frequently stop to snap photos of the bats, which are an integral part of the city’s unique environmental landscape.
These bats, with their ability to pollinate key fruits such as durian and longan, play a vital role in maintaining the health of the local ecosystem.
Yet, over the past few weeks, observers have noticed a troubling absence. The large trees that once served as a haven for these winged mammals now stand eerily quiet, their branches devoid of the usual hanging clusters of bats. Local reports suggest that only a few stragglers remain, raising the question: What drove the flying foxes away?
Phnom Penh’s urban landscape has long been home to a fascinating yet elusive species: the flying fox, whose “sanctuary tree” in the capital is even marked on Google Maps.
These large fruit bats, known for their impressive wingspans of up to 1.5 metres, have made their roosts around Wat Phnom, delighting both locals and international tourists with their nightly flights and their critical role in the local ecosystem.
However, recently, something has changed – an entire troop of these bats seems to have vanished from their iconic perches, leaving many to wonder what happened to them.
For years, visitors to Wat Phnom have marvelled at the spectacle of thousands of flying foxes hanging upside down in the trees surrounding the area. Tourists frequently stop to snap photos of the bats, which are an integral part of the city’s unique environmental landscape.
These bats, with their ability to pollinate key fruits such as durian and longan, play a vital role in maintaining the health of the local ecosystem.
Yet, over the past few weeks, observers have noticed a troubling absence. The large trees that once served as a haven for these winged mammals now stand eerily quiet, their branches devoid of the usual hanging clusters of bats. Local reports suggest that only a few stragglers remain, raising the question: What drove the flying foxes away?
- Random Dude
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Re: Where have What Phnom Penh's flying foxes gone?
Could it be a seasonal thing? Maybe during the cooler months they have a better food source somewhere else and they're raiding a new orchard or something.
- SternAAlbifrons
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Re: Where have What Phnom Penh's flying foxes gone?
Flying fox colonies, or "camps", are highly responsive to food resource availability.
Many move seasonally.
Some, in areas which are richer and more diverse in food supply, become "perminant".
Even the perminant camps then split up and migrate to new territory as long term landscape changes roll on.
Chances are, this is what happened to the Flying foxes you are referring to.
Living nearby can be quite not-very-pleasant. They stink, have caustic shit and make a hell of a racket.
- although individually the are disarmably charming.
Inteligent, affectionate and cute as a button close up. Absolutely crucial to the germination of forests.
Notoriously difficiuly to shift an established colony non lethally.
Cop it sweet - as they say in oztraya
Many move seasonally.
Some, in areas which are richer and more diverse in food supply, become "perminant".
Even the perminant camps then split up and migrate to new territory as long term landscape changes roll on.
Chances are, this is what happened to the Flying foxes you are referring to.
Living nearby can be quite not-very-pleasant. They stink, have caustic shit and make a hell of a racket.
- although individually the are disarmably charming.
Inteligent, affectionate and cute as a button close up. Absolutely crucial to the germination of forests.
Notoriously difficiuly to shift an established colony non lethally.
Cop it sweet - as they say in oztraya
- John Bingham
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Re: Where have What Phnom Penh's flying foxes gone?
There's also a colony in Siem Reap City, I wonder if they have also flown off somewhere else? I'd guess it's more weather related than anything, it's been a very long dry/cold season. One other change is the CDC compound wall was recently rebuilt, it was a 12 or so foot solid wall since the early 90s but has now been replaced with a smaller wall with metal railings on the top part. I doubt it has much to do with Hornbills, there don't seem to be many of those around the city anymore.

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Re: Where have What Phnom Penh's flying foxes gone?
I lived opposite the colony in SR for 7 years and do not remember them not being there at any time.John Bingham wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2025 11:16 am There's also a colony in Siem Reap City, I wonder if they have also flown off somewhere else? I'd guess it's more weather related than anything, it's been a very long dry/cold season. One other change is the CDC compound wall was recently rebuilt, it was a 12 or so foot solid wall since the early 90s but has now been replaced with a smaller wall with metal railings on the top part. I doubt it has much to do with Hornbills, there don't seem to be many of those around the city anymore.
Siem Reap
Re: Where have What Phnom Penh's flying foxes gone?
I was talking to a friend the other night who regularly cycles past Wat Phnom and he said he had on two occasions seen several Hornbills harassing the roosting bats. I would have thought a flying fox a bit big for a Hornbill to eat but he showed me a video of some Hornbills swooping amongst the bats and although it wasn't obvious that they were attacking the bats they did look like they were up to some form of skullduggery.
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Re: Where have What Phnom Penh's flying foxes gone?
. . . there's someone in my head, but it's not me . . .
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