Doc Nielsen’s search for blue-banded sea snake

MANILA, Philippines - In famous Lake Taal, Dr. Nielsen Donato and his team have documented two out of the three species of water snakes that can be found in the area — the file snake or duhol basahan and the endemic Lake Taal water snake or duhol matapang.

Last on his list is the blue-banded sea krait or walo-walo.  According to locals, however, it’s been a while since they last saw this species of water snake.  Based on history, Lake Taal was once part of Balayan Bay. A series of eruptions from Mt. Taal formed the lake the people know now. Some say that blue-banded sea snake sightings dwindled after these eruptions. And even after decades of being a popular tourist site, it seems there is still more to uncover beneath this fascinating lake.

Will Doc Nielsen find out the truth about the presence of the blue-banded sea snake in Lake Taal?

Meanwhile, Dr. Ferds Recio has joined a team of experts studying bats in Bohol. He enters a majestic cave and witnesses a powerful force in the sky — thousands of bats flying out to forage. And as the bats come out, predators lurk to eat them one by one. Doc Ferds also joins the experts in getting blood samples from bats to find out whether human activities have affected their health.  Although long considered creatures of darkness and even seen as pests, bats play a crucial role in the ecosystem, and a crash in nature’s balance is not unlikely should these bats disappear.

Find out why in Born To Be Wild tonight after Saksi on GMA 7.