By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE Department of Lands and Natural Resources’ Division of Fish and Wildlife on Wednesday announced the 2026 Annual Fanihi Count on Saipan and Tinian on April 10, 2026.
DFW said, the event focuses on the monitoring of the CNMI fanihi or the Mariana fruit bat, aimed at promoting awareness of the islands’ local wildlife.
In 2025 Annual Fanihi Count 45 fruit bats were spotted on Saipan and Tinian, while in 2024, volunteers and DFW staff counted 56 sightings at different monitoring stations.
This year will be the fifth annual Mariana-wide fruit bat count hosted by DFW, said assistant wildlife biologist Lee Roy Sablan Jr.
The monitoring on April 10, 2026, will start at 4:15 a.m. and will conclude at 6:15 a.m.
DFW is urging members of the public to join the count and make a difference.
“Let’s work together to ensure the future of the Fanihi and promote awareness of our local wildlife,” Sablan said.
The event is open to all ages and experiences. For more information, contact: Lee Roy Sablan: [email protected], 670-664-6032/6016 for Saipan; or Rebecca Krasa at [email protected] for Tinian.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
