SAVE THE MARIANA FRUIT BAT
What More Can Be Done?!
More Extreme Punishments for Illegal Hunting!
Due in large to the small size and tight community of Guam, the regulation of the illegal hunting of Mariana Fruit Bats is extremely difficult. As you can imagine, it may seem ridiculous to fine or arrest a neighbor or close friend for hunting an animal that has been hunted for hundreds of years by ceremonial tradition (Endangered Species in the Pacific Islands, 2012), yet this kind of thought is what has lead the Fruit Bat to near extinction. Local law enforcement of Guam must learn the consequences of the total extinction of the Fruit Bat from the ecosystem, and then hopefully they will take the law of 1977 that prohibits their predation more seriously. After all, the consequences of the extinction of the Mariana Fruit Bat would be mainly felt on Guam, with these people who continue to illegally hunt it for ceremonial purposes. The bats fate is in their hands.
Guam Natives Need Education on Their Fruit Bat!
Rooted in the tradition of hunting Fruit Bats for ceremonial purposes, the endangerment of the Mariana species is not taken seriously by locals (Endangered Species in the Pacific Islands, 2012). As tradition is difficult to reverse, especially after the course of hundreds of years, these locals are in need of updated information regarding their native wildlife. After educated on the detrimental effects of their illegal hunting, the locals would then at least have the knowledge of the consequences of problems they were creating. This education is essential for the locals because they are exactly that: locals. These are the people who directly share the environment with the Fruit Bats and who will feel the repercussions the most if the bat were to go extinct.
Create Jobs For Guam Locals!
Creating jobs that revolve around the conservation of the bat would not only help the economy of guam but would be extremely effective environmentally for Guam. You see, Guam locals, unlike outsiders, have connections and serious influence on their peers. If conservation projects and efforts came from within, there would be a much greater buy in from the rest of the Guam people. Also, this is a win-win situation with the Guam people getting paid to preserve a precious resource that will save them millions in the long run. More information on how the Fruit bat will save money can be found in the ‘Why Save’ section of webpage.
