How common A. leucotis is in primary and secondary forests remains unknown because it does not aggregate in large colonies and appropriate survey methods have not been identified for the species (Hoogstraal 1951, Heaney et al. 1998). Hence, it might not be recorded in surveys of places where it does occur (L. Heaney pers. comm. 2007).

This species is found in primary and dense secondary forest in inconspicuous locations, making small tents in the tree tops. It has also been found feeding in degraded secondary forest/grassland mosaic at around eight m in the canopy (Esselstyn et al. 2004, P. Widmann pers. comm. 2006). PBCFI surveys located about 80 roosting individuals in a Ficus tree in the middle of a cashew plantation in Culion. At leasts three roosts sites reported by locals were found in mangrove areas or in trees close to mangrove habitats. (L. M. Paguntalan, per. comm., 2012).

In 2011/12, Palawan flying foxes were caught in forest edges, open woodland close to fruit trees (cashew and mango plantations), mangrove areas and beach forests, no roosting colonies were documented (L.J. Paguntalan pers. Comm. 2019). Three sub-adults were caught in March 2011 (one individual) and March 2012 (2 individuals). 

The Palawan fruit bat is endemic to the Philippines, where it is found only in the Palawan Faunal Region, including Palawan, Busuanga, Calamian, Culion, Balabac, and Bat Island in Honda Bay (Heaney et al. 1998, Widmann et al. 2008). The species has been recorded at sea level, but its upper elevation limit is unknown.

Appropriate sampling methods for A. leucotis have not yet been identified (L. Heaney pers. comm. 2006), and because it does not form large colonies it might be overlooked during surveys (L. Heaney pers. comm. 2007). A survey using mist nets in the canopy of secondary forest in San Vicente, Pagdanan Range, in the north of the Palawan Island did not record any individuals of the species (P. Widmann et al. 2008). The Bat Count Project observational surveys failed to locate the species on Rasa Island, Narra and on Bat Island in Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa (Mildenstein 2011).

A biodiversity survey conducted by the Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc. mist-netted two individuals in San Rafael, Busuanga in 2010 and saw a number of flying foxes moving to the forest in the early evening. One individual was also mist-netted in Binudac, Culion in 2010 (first record for Culion) and nine individuals were mist-netted in Marily Malaki, de Carabao in Culion in March 2012. About 80 individuals were observed roosting in a Ficus tree in the middle of a cashew plantation in Marily Malaki in March 2012. The PBCFI project also caught two individuals in the Calamian Island, where the species was previously thought to be extinct (L. M. Paguntalan and G. Jakosalem, per. comm., 2012).

During a 2011/12 survey of 26 sites in Palawan (13 islands including Calamian Islands), the Palawan flying fox was mist-netted in seven sites within the Calamian Islands (Culion – Halsey, Binudac and Mariley deCarabao, Busuanga – Cheey, New Busuanga, San Rafael, and Bogtong). Further, it was observed roosting one time on an island a kilometer away from Conception in Busuanga. It has been reported by locals on Calauit Island. The flying fox roosting colonies on mainland Palawan (Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape, Tumarbong in Roxas, San Vicente, Puerto Princesa, Ursula Island, Bat Island in Honda Bay, Rasa Island, Dumaran Island, Pagbu Island in Roxas) and Calamian Islands (Tantangen Island in Conception, Culion (Halsey and Pearl farm, Club Paradise) were mostly Large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) and Common Island flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus).

There were reports and photographs of roosts in Halsey, Culion and in smaller islands in between Culion and Busuanga islands. These roosts have not been verified but photographs have shown lightly-colored/cream-colored flying foxes (L. M. Paguntalan, pers. comm., 2012).

Current conservation efforts
Acerodon leucotis has been listed in Appendix II of CITES since 1990 and it is also protected under the Philippine Wildlife Act (Republic Act No. 9147, 2001). The species has been recorded in a number of formally protected areas, but protection of the bats within these areas is not enforced

Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. (PBCFI) has conducted a series of biological surveys (2006, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014) and had identified top 10 priority sites for conservation. This information had been presented to a number of stakeholders (local government units, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 4b, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office - Coron (CENRO - Coron), Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS), Calauit Island Safari and Wildlife Park, Balik Caluit Movement, Local governments in Culion, Coron and Busuanga, local schools and private corporations) and used as basis in declaring priority areas for conservation in Calamian Group of Islands. The information generated was used in updating the Environment Critical Areas Network (ECAN) of Calamian Islands.

PBCFI is currently continuing the search for roosting colonies of flying foxes in Palawan. In Busuanga Island, PBCFI in partnership with a local organization - Community Centered Conservation (C3) - works closely with local communities, local government units in Busuanga, private corporations in declaring remaining significant forests patches and known flying fox roosting sites as local conservation areas. PBCFI also worked closely with the technical working group organized by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) tasked by Forest Management Bureau in integrating biodiversity conservation in the Busuanga Island Development and Management Plan.

Information campaign and appreciation of wildlife species including flying foxes were also conducted. In line with this, information on the importance of flying foxes were also integrated in the local nature-based tours operating close to roosting colonies. Some members of the local communities were also trained in identifying flying foxes.

Conservation needs/priorities
Clearly, one of the top priorities needs to be additional research, we need to know more about where populations are extant, and we need to know much more about their current status. There is also a need to revisit reported roosting colonies in mainland Palawan. Long-term studies that track populations are very badly needed (L. Heaney, pers. comm., 2012).

A. Biodiversity Protection - Stricter habitat protection, and control of hunting, are both important conservation measures that need to be implemented. There are no protected areas identified in Culion and Busuanga Islands. Almost all of the largest remaining forests of Busuanga are under Busuanga Pastureland Reserve while the remaining forests in Busuanga and Culion are classified as timberland/forestland. There is a need to declare remaining forests as protected areas or wildlife/nature reserves and watersheds.

There are is also a need to work closely with private land owners to lobby for the creation of network of private nature reserves. The remaining forests in most of the islands are important feeding and roosting sites of the flying foxes including the Palawan flying fox. In most islands, only few patches remain (e.g. Coron areas in Busuanga Island) and these forest patches are also important sources of water for both agriculture and domestic use.

B. Habitat rehabilitation - There is a need to strengthen the habitat rehabilitation initiatives in the island and to work closely with pastureland/private land owners in setting aside networks of forests that will not only cater to watershed conservation but also as refuge areas for wildlife.

C. Research - Appropriate survey techniques should be identified for this species and further surveys undertaken. Specifically, ethnozoological surveys should be conducted, particularly in southern Palawan, where large fruit bats are regularly hunted for food. Potential habitat should be surveyed throughout Palawan employing suitable capturing techniques (e.g. canopy nets) and sampling to understand habitat used and assess population abundance.

D. Communication, Education and Public Awareness - Education and awareness campaigns should be conducted in local communities with flying foxes as focal species (P. Widmann, pers. comm., 2012). Integration on the importance of flying foxes in local tourism activities, training local communities in identification and monitoring particularly for areas close to tourism and protection activities.