They jokingly call me Tars (in the office) and that was a short name for Tarsier. Maybe because I am physically tiny and manifesting some big eyes especially when I lack of sleep.
I thought about this comment sometimes a negative thing; but when I saw these real Philippine Tarsiers here in Corella, Bohol, the way I think about it started to change.
Welcome to the Tarsier Sanctuary
I already felt a combination of emotions when I was still on my way finding them in their natural habitats. Tarsiers usually thrive in places where they can't be easily noticed and seen. Thus, finding them in the bushy habitat makes it a little tough.
Finally, we have found one, and then two, three and four!
I found these creatures unique from some other primates. Aside from being so small and was known to be the smallest of them all, Tarsiers are also known to be nocturnal, meaning they are active at night time. They sleep during the day in shadowy areas where trees and bushes are abundant. Aside from that, you can’t see them flock together like birds. They are more of a loner and don’t want any company. The cool thing about them? They can rotate their heads 360 degrees while their eyeballs can only keep still!
The Philippine Tarsiers are very sensitive. Like anyone else, they don’t want to be disturbed when they are sleeping. They have tendencies to be stressed and ‘commit suicide’ when they are threatened by unusual noises, bright light and any act of human intervention.
The Philippine Tarsier is one of the few extinct species of primates that can be found in the Philippines. That is the reason why their natural habitats are being protected by both government and some private sectors.
I kept in mind that I was entering a sanctuary not a zoo. It means that I should be more careful enough and never make any noises to distract and disturb them while they are peacefully resting.
The sanctuary has set up a guideline for everyone to follow:
• Tarsiers are known to be shy but maintaining a safe distance is ideal so they won't be scared. It would not be comfortable for them to be touched or fed. They might bite as well if they feel that they are threatened.
• Walk with the tour guide always.
• Taking pictures of them is not prohibited. But make sure that the flash of your camera is turned off before doing a shoot.
• Consider silence while in the sanctuary. Like any living creature, would you want somebody laughing and giggling around you when you’re asleep?
• Do not take or bring anything inside the sanctuary. Remember, you are just here for a visit. It’s not your place.
With my Uncle Freddie, we stayed here for half an hour. Though these Tarsiers do not really move much while there up on the trees, I maybe just wanted to stay here to stare at them and to pay more attention to their amazing details. Simply, they are cuddly and magnificent.
My visit here at the Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, Bohol made me realize that taking care of them is now becoming a responsibility. There are now just a few of them living in the forest. Their extinction is abruptly getting worse as the years go by. Climate change, air pollution, increasing human population and deforestation could be some of the leading factors to their extinction.
We love our environment. We move to take care of it. Hope all of us have the same way of thinking in loving this natural earth. Hope in any way, we can move to prevent our Philippine Tarsier from total extinction.
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| Uncle Freddie and I at the Tarsier Sanctuary |
Support the Philippine Tarsier Foundation:
Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Inc.
Km. 14, Canapnapan, Corella, 6337 Bohol, Philippines
www.tarsierfoundation.org
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