Baga Cave (N6°55’39.4”, E125°42’10.4”, 86 m asl)
Cave Entrance. The main entrance measured 29.33 m2 (width=11.50 m; height=2.55 m) and the other entrance measures 36.88 m2 (width=8.93 m; height=4.13 m) which lead into the chamber of fruit bats. Passages, branches and chambers. It had two passengers: the longest one reached 685.23 m in length and the other passage from the second entrance measured
67.0 m. Due to the “bad air” inside the cave and difficulty in breathing of the researchers, the survey was limited to only 685.23 m in length; thus, the researchers were not able to reach the cave where the falls can be found. According to the guide, the cave is still very long which could probably reach more than 2 km. The highest ceiling reached 22.12 m. Temperature and humidity. The temperature ranged from 27.6 – 30.1 °C with an average of 28.89 °C. The relative humidity was high in all stations surveyed (over 90%). A pool of water was observed inside the cave, and according to the guide, a fairly high falls can also be found deep into Baga Cave. Guano deposit. The guano deposit was over ankle deep level. Cave bats. Baga Cave housed the most number of species surveyed in this study. Seven (7) bat species were identified for this cave: Rousettus amplexicaudatus, Hipposideros diadema, Miniopterus australis, Miniopterus schreibersii, Myotis macrotarsus, Rhinolophus arcuatus, Rhinolophus rufus, and possibly new species of Rhinolophus. The cave had three chambers where the bats were observed to roost. The colony of Rousettus amplexicaudatus was observed 298.42 m from the cave entrance. The roosting area of Hipposideros diadema, on the other hand, was 499.82 m from the cave entrance. All other species were observed in the chamber 566.95 m from the cave entrance. Bat nurseries were observed in the third highest chamber. Juveniles the fell onto the cave floor were identified to be the Rhinolophus species. There were also vespertilionid juveniles that fell, but it was difficult to say if they were M. australis, M. schreibersii or M. macrotarsus due to the similarities in the appearances of their juveniles. It was fairly difficult to count directly the number of bats in the chamber because of its fairly great distance from the data logger and the total number of captures in the mist-nets could not validate the total population of the entire cave. Only 423 individuals were captured using mist-nets, a relatively small number compared to direct observations. Other species observed. There were also cockroaches and whip scorpions inside the cave. Outside the cave, species of Sphenomorphus fasciatus, Brachymeles pathfinderi, Cyrtodactylus sp., Draco cyanopterus and Polypedates leucomystax were also captured. Vegetation. The cave was located in a coconut plantation; however. Few forest species were identified around the cave. Plants included were Cocos nucifera, Lantana sp., several bamboo species, Boehmeria nivea, Musa sp., Desmodium sp., Lansium domesticum, Mangifera indica, Alocacia sp., Leucaena leucocephala, Psidium guajava, Macaranga tanarius, Chromolaena odorata, Ficus sp., Vitex parviflora and several species of ferns. Disturbances. Because it has been used as a local tourist destination, indications of disturbances can easily be observed by the presence of empty food wrappers and bottles. There were also signs of vandalisms on the cave walls. Treasure hunting activities were also noticeable because of several excavated parts in the cave. There were also bamboo poles, nets, remains of bonfires and open-flame torches that are signs of possible but harvesting activities. Stains were also measured and the stained area was 507.83 m long. Other observations. Baga Cave was the longest and largest among the caves surveyed in Samal Island by this study. It is also one of the caves, aside from Monfort Cave, well known to tourists because of its size and geologic formations. According to the Barangay Tourism Councilor/Officer, the locals often go into the cave during weekends to dip into the falls located inside the cave. Baga Cave is also often used as subject for research by universities and colleges in Davao City.
