Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary

On the Philippine island of Bohol, there is a sanctuary populated not just by skinny trees but also by protected tarsiers, an endangered species of strange-looking primates that cling to the thin branches with their long, alien fingers.  

The Tarsier Sanctuary is a large forest dedicated to the protection of tarsiers, small nocturnal primates with big, round eyes that feed primarily on insects. They usually cling to low branches or the trunks of slim trees. Prior to the development of the sanctuaries, many tarsiers were kept as pets by private individuals in environments not conducive to their lifestyle and survival.

Tarsiers are delicate, emotionally sensitive creatures that get stressed easily (and they have been known to commit suicide via banging their heads against tree trunks), so visitors have to lower their voices and keep the noise level to a minimum. Visitors are allowed to take pictures (without the flash), but touching the tarsiers is an absolute taboo. 

The sanctuary is officially run by the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, an organization devoted to making sure that the dwindling and delicate population survives and thrives. The park also has a store where tourists can buy t-shirts, key chains, and hats to promote the protection and preservation of the tarsiers and their habitats.

Unfortunately the situation in the Philippines is obscure when it comes to organizations claiming to be tarsiers’ conservation units. There is at least another one with the mention “conservation area” in the name but this is one is a mini-zoo, built only for touristic purposes.