Adopt a Tarsier

It’s sickening that when we think about the Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta), we identify them as “suicidal” yet we don’t do something about it. Instead, we take a few snaps of them with camera flashes blasting in all directions, or worse, make unnecessary noise in their territory.

These maumags (Visayan for tarsier) are considered shy and sensitive that’s why touching them is not allowed. As nocturnal animals, they deserve a restful sleep in the morning so your giggles are not funny or enjoyable to them at all.

We have learned from previous readings that the Philippine tarsier’s population in our forests is hanging by a thread, considering how rampant illegal logging is, as well as slash and burn (kaingin) and urbanization, resulting in forests being converted to housing areas/roads. This threatened primate also has the lowest birthrate of one developed offspring per gestation only after six months with a maximum 20-year lifespan in a pleasant habitat or six months to 13 years in captivity (caged).

In Bohol, the Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary was developed in Barangay Corella, where a huge number of tarsiers used to thrive, to adhere to the call on tarsier conservation. (Sadly, there are only roughly 1,000 tarsiers left.) What’s left of the lush greens of the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Inc.-managed Philippine Tarsier Research and Development Center is a venue to mount conservation programs of researches, habitat management, community management and ecotourism efforts.

Wildlife Conservation

As a national effort, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources launched in 2010 the Adopt-a-Wildlife Species Program (AAWS Program) under Environment Administrative Order No. 2010-16 in pursuant of R.A. No. 9147 a.k.a. Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act that declares the policy “to conserve and protect wildlife species and their habitats to promote ecological balance and enhance biological diversity, and in order to provide additional avenues for the local government units, the private sector, non-government organizations, people’s organizations, civil society groups and other interested individuals to participate in the government’s campaign to conserve biodiversity and prevent species extinction…”

The AWWS Program is open for adoption of any of 21 insect, 53 amphibian, 27 reptile, 86 mammal, 137 bird and 873 plant species that are under the list of priority composed mostly of endangered endemic species like the Philippine eagle, the Tamaraw, Waling-waling orchid, Philippine crocodile, among others.

Under the AAWS Program is also a species conservation project called “Piloting Conservation Stewardship Program for the Protection of the Philippine Tarsier in Bohol, Samar and Leyte”. This obviously is specifically targeted to one beneficiary to be given optimum attention.

CEMEX, a cement manufacturer/building materials provider, is the first adopting entity under the new provision through its Php 1.5 million initial grant for the first phase of the conservation project. This isn’t their first “adoption” since they took their first green (adoption) step when they’ve adopted the butandings (whale sharks) in Donsol, Sorsogon in 2007. “We chose to adopt the tarsiers not only to save them from extinction but also to spread awareness of their situation, as well as understanding of conservation efforts in general,” explained CEMEX Philippines Foundation Executive Director Atty. Darwin Mariano.

Meanwhile, Conservation International-Philippines (implementer) assists CEMEX in this green endeavor “in the development and implementation of a project for the in-situ (onsite) conservation of the Philippine tarsier.” While the project has three phases: population distribution and habitats research, Conservation Stewardship Program initial testing, and establish partnerships with local government agencies, NGOs and academe; CI is committed to accomplish project frameworks. CI advocates on responsibly taking care of the environment specifically on global diversity of well-being of humanity.

Yes, tarsiers are suicidal because when they are stressed, they resort to banging their soft heads to death. They also have this inclination of eating their own offsprings when hunger strikes. These facts warrant the need to adopt tarsiers.

The conservation of these endemic, endangered wild species goes back to the fact that each creature in this earth takes a spot in the food chain and if one species will go extinct, the ecosystem becomes unbalanced. And according to www.endangeredspecie.com, “Plants and animals hold medicinal, agricultural, ecological, commercial and aesthetic/recreational value. Endangered species must be protected and saved so that future generations can experience their presence and value.”

Tarsier fun facts from tarsierfoundation.org:

• Its head can rotate up to 180 degrees which allows it to leap backward with precision.

• It has a tail longer than its body (189 to 293 millimeters for males).

• The tarsier clings to branches either vertically or horizontally. (FREEMAN)