Bohol's tarsier is threatened by tourism
By secretbear
@secretbear (19448)
Philippines
December 15, 2011 6:27pm CST
It was very alarming to hear the news that tourism which gives income to the province of Bohol is now one of the major reason why tarsiers are decreasing in number.
Tarsier is an endangered and endemic species to the Philippines and the smallest primate in the world. It is one of the tourist attractions in the province of Bohol, Philippines but their population is being threatened by people visiting the place.
Tarsiers are very sensitive to noise. They get stressed when people get near them, when people are noisy, when cameras are flashing everywhere. When they get stressed, they commit suicide by bashing their heads in a tree branch or in the cage they are being kept. I even read somewhere that they intentionally do not breath and slowly die. 
I hope the province of Bohol is doing something about this to preserve this amazing animal. It would be a terrible loss in the biodiversity if this species is wiped out.
I hope the province of Bohol is doing something about this to preserve this amazing animal. It would be a terrible loss in the biodiversity if this species is wiped out.3 people like this
13 responses
@ckyera (17332)
• Philippines
25 Dec 11
Hi secret!
I have been to Bohol and was able to see these cute tarsiers up close and personal. As far as I remember, when we are there, our guides didn't allow us to touch them and use flash when taking pictures of them, unlike before that visitors can even hold them or put them on their shoulders to take pictures, i guess that's already the step they make to protect these primates, but yes i hope they do more so that the next generations will still be able to see these cute tarsiers.
2 people like this
@CTHanum (8234)
• Malaysia
16 Dec 11
I did not know that tarsiers are so sensitive with all that.. If they can't get through such things I don't think it is a good way to keep showing them to the public and just let them have their life in their habitat. I really like to see this animal because of his eyes and size. Hope they will find ways to keep it safe in his habitat.(^^)
1 person likes this
@CTHanum (8234)
• Malaysia
16 Dec 11
I have seen such species many times before and they looks fine with people. If they don't want others to see them they will hiding somewhere. So it kind of shocked to know the fact that they can killed themselves for that stress reason. Don't you think that if they are raised up in such environment with human around they can adapt it and can continue survive???
1 person likes this
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
17 Dec 11
I'm not sure. I don't know if you can raise a tarsier in a different environment like a pet or something. What I only know is that their nature is very sensitive to noises. If they can be raised to be tolerant of noises, then that will be nice. 
1 person likes this
@bluespygirl (2112)
• Philippines
16 Dec 11
I had been to Bohol and had seen the lovely and cut tarsiers! :) I had seen them in one of the canteens along the road. The people who have tarsiers have Dept of Environment and National Resources (DENR) certificates that allows them to pet them. I just hope that along with the certificate is a guideline or seminar teaching them how to properly take care of the tarsiers.
1 person likes this
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
17 Dec 11
If they are given permits from DENR, then the DENR has no idea of the behavior of the tarsiers.
@keihimekawa (2009)
• Philippines
19 Dec 11
I heard about this quite some time ago. It's too sad to hear that the tarsiers which we are so proud of are decreasing. It's great to hear that there are people who gives time to save them. Tourist guides should continuously remind tourists what are the do's and dont's when seeing them. Guides should be more vigilant in order to preserve them.
1 person likes this
@girl_thinking (1959)
• Philippines
16 Dec 11
I once went to Bohol and actually held a tarsier in my hand. I did not know that they don't want to be near people 
Tarsiers are very cute and when you look at their eyes, you could imagine so many things about them. One tarsier look as if it was very happy to see you, one look pleading, one look as if it was about to cry or something.. 
I hope that Bohol government officials will really do something about it. It will be a big lost to us if tarsiers totally disappear. It would be an incomplete to visit Bohol without seeing the Tarsiers.
Maybe they could make people see tarsiers but in distance and then explain to the people just what you have explained
Tarsiers are very cute and when you look at their eyes, you could imagine so many things about them. One tarsier look as if it was very happy to see you, one look pleading, one look as if it was about to cry or something..
I hope that Bohol government officials will really do something about it. It will be a big lost to us if tarsiers totally disappear. It would be an incomplete to visit Bohol without seeing the Tarsiers.
Maybe they could make people see tarsiers but in distance and then explain to the people just what you have explained @secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
16 Dec 11
I also went to Bohol once and I even took a picture with it. It was a very long time ago and I didn't know any slightest idea about what scares the animal. I also hope authorities and those people concerned will do something about this.
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
17 Dec 11
Let's just hope that tourists will be sensitive to the needs of the tarsiers.
@portisray (503)
• Philippines
16 Dec 11
I also went to Bohol just early this year... They are really cute to look at... With the Tarsier, me and my sister had a picture of them... We could picture them just as long as we don't use camera with flash ....
And yes, as you said it... It will be a big lost in our tourism ... Especially in Bohol, since it is one of the best attractions to go there (beside the Chocolate Hills) ...
@Queen_11 (307)
• Philippines
16 Dec 11
Financial gain at the expense of something vulnerable such as this specie is truly not acceptable. Maybe the local government of Bohol could just setup a place wherein tourists can view the tarsiers from afar, without human contact and away from noise and pollution.
1 person likes this
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
17 Dec 11
That's a good idea. People should be contented to see this animal from afar.
@insurectus (334)
• Philippines
16 Dec 11
Do you have any link to this story?
I'm from Bohol, the only news there about animals
is the python sanctuary in Albur town that is to be closed
as the owner failed to pay taxes
1 person likes this
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
28 Dec 11
Really? That's such a pity if Tarsiers are not protected the way they should be. They are such cute animals with big lovely eyes! 
I really think the government should do something about it or even let the WWF take over in handling such stuffs. Since the government there is corrupted, and only money talks, i dun think they would be too bothered about it 
What your government should do is to follow what the Indonesian government is doing to protect their komodo dragons.
I really think the government should do something about it or even let the WWF take over in handling such stuffs. Since the government there is corrupted, and only money talks, i dun think they would be too bothered about it What your government should do is to follow what the Indonesian government is doing to protect their komodo dragons.
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
16 Dec 11
This is very alarming.
We are attracting tourist and not considering the lives of these animals.
I hope the Bohol government officials will take a look on this matter.
@greenpeas (998)
• Philippines
16 Dec 11
This is indeed alarming. Government and private animal conservationists should work hand in hand in saving this rare animal which can only be found in Philippines from extinction. Not only for the sake of tourism, but for the sake of these animals.
They should enforce a restricted zone where these animals can live several meters from tourists without being bothered. Viewing binoculars should be provided so people can see these animals upclose even from the distance. Tourists should also be warned not to make noises and take pictures with flashes (you dont need flashes anyway in a broad daylight).
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
17 Dec 11
I've read somewhere that a sanctuary was established for tarsiers. However, in popular tourist places in Bohol, they let tourists see tarsiers and take pictures with them. I hope the authorities will do something about it.
@Robswife2006 (1208)
• United States
16 Dec 11
Oh wow that is so sad. They are so cute & so little. I think they should start a fund raiser to built a private habitat for them, closed off & away from people. Somewhere where it's quite & soothing for them. It would be a shame for such tiny creatures to become extinct.
1 person likes this
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
16 Dec 11
I think so, too! They are amazing animals and it would be a waste if future generations would only be able to see them in books only.
@miadsoriano (884)
• Philippines
30 Dec 11
I have seen and held Tarsiers in my times in Bohol. They are such precious, little creatures! I always ask the handlers in the sanctuaries if I can be allowed to care for one, but of course that request was rightfully denied. I just feel so bad for them. Because they are now so rare and scarce, there is no other choice but to hold them in captivity in order to keep them away from people of questionable intents.
@eunique317 (347)
• Philippines
16 Dec 11
I have not been to Bohol but I heard from a friend who has been there that there is a person who made a sanctuary for these cute animals. He is the one helping these animals not to go extinct.
1 person likes this
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
16 Dec 11
Yes, there's a sanctuary that was built. I hope they can do a lot to help these animals.
