MikeLigalig.com

By Ric V Obedencio
Bohol Chronicle

CORELLA, Bohol-The setting up of a natural sanctuary at barangay Canapnapan of this town for the refuge of endangered species, Tarsius Syrichta, popularly known as Tarsier, by the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Incorporated has paid off day by day.

There has been no single day that the sanctuary become a no-visitor scenario, said the front desk officer of the sanctuary in an interview. It averages about 20 or more per day all year round, said desk officer Cle Ramo.

Last week, a lot of Chinese or Koreans and local tourists took a video and still photos on many angles of the mother and child Tarsiers cling on a shrub and a shy one on the big leaf of a tree appeared to be sleeping. Recently students from colleges outside the province come in droves bus loads to observe the primate and studies.

Once tourists wanted to see or watch the Tarsier, they have to pay for P50/head as entrance fee. And a guide tours them to the enclosed sanctuary of about a hectare composed of at least ten Tarsiers. Parking spaces are allotted for their vehicles while they are seeing up-close with the primate. The municipality got share of 40% of the proceeds quarterly.

According to the guide no one is allowed to come very near to the Tarsier because it bites if provoked. Using camera flash to shoot at the Tarsier is discouraged also.

How it came about?

The animal in what is now known as Tarsier is named Cercopithecus Luzonis Minimus until eventually it's known asTarsius syrichta based on Camels description in 1705. Since then, there are three known of the same species: Tarsius Philippensis in Samar and Leyte; Tarsius Fraterculus for Bohol; andTarsius Carbonarius for Mindanao. According to missionary J. G. Camel, the animal originated in the country.

It is considered one of the oldest living land animal living in existence since 45 million years back during the Eocene period.

Five species of Tarsiers have been classified into: Bornean tarsier - Tarsius Bancanus; Spectral tarsier --- Tarsius Spectrum; Lesser tarsier ---- Tarsius Pumilus; Dian's tarsier ---- Dianae Tarsius found in Sulawesi, Indonesia; and Philippine tarsius --- Tarsius Syrichta.

Locally it is called "Maomag." Others called it "Mago," ot "Magau," according to the information provided by the sanctuary center.

Protection

Tarsier has been included in the list of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the DENR issued Administrative Order NO. 38 in protecting the primate as among the national protected wildlife species. "In addition, the World Conservation Union/SSC Primate Specialist Group had given the species Conservation Priority Rating 4, which means that the species is highly vulnerable and threatened by habitat destruction and/or hunting."

The foundation is committed to conservation program in the Tarsier research, habitat management, community management and visitor management.

Then President Fidel V. Ramos issued on June 23, 1997 Presidential Proclamation No 1030, declaring the Philippine tarsier as a specially protected fauna species of the Philippines."

"It stated that the Philippine tarsier, which is endemic to the Philippines, offers immense ecological, aesthetic, educational, historical, recreational and scientific value to the country and to the Filipino people, and as such, is a matter of national concern since it forms part of the Philippine natural heritage."

It prohibits the hunting, killing, wounding, taking away, or possession of the Philippine tarsier but states that possession for educational, scientific, or conservation-centered research purposes may be allowed upon certification of the DENR secretary.

The "DENR was directed to spearhead the undertaking of all activities leading to the establishment of appropriate sanctuaries to preserve and protect the species as prescribed under the provisions of Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1991."

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