Historically, the Marianas Fruit bat was found on all the southern islands of Saipan, Rota and Tinian. However, now healthy populations are only found on Rota. Fruit bat population surveys began in the early 1980's by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Since then the fruit bat population of the Marianas has been declining. Rota once supported a population of over 2000 bats.
Today there are less than half that number.
Bat numbers in the Northern Islands where estimated at 5,000-6000 in 1983, however, periodic counts have shown bat population on some islands has decreased. Comprehensive fruit bat survey's will be conducted within the next year. There are three main causes for the population decline. The greatest threat fruit bats face is from illegal hunting. Poaching on all the islands has contributed considerably to the decreasing in population.