Since arriving in the Republic of Palau, we have spent a lot of time reflecting on our experiences on Guam (in which the environmental situation is dire). Many of the native forest animals on that island such as the Mariana fruit bat, Kingfisher and the Guam Rail (aka ko’ko’) are endangered, and in some cases, functionally extinct. As mentioned in an earlier post, such decreases are attributed in part to habitat loss, land development and the imminent buildup of military activities. 

Right: Dave Ginsburg makes friends with one of the abundant Mariana fruit bats on Palau. Photo by Austin Hay.