DENR sets tarsier population count in Davao

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said Monday that it will undertake a population count of Philippine Tarsiers (Tarsius syrichta) in Mati, Davao Oriental and in Kapalong, Davao del Norte.

DENR-Region 11 Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada said that the study will also include an assessment of the natural habitats of the tarsier in the two provinces.

“The results of the study will serve as basis in crafting the management plan for the tarsier in the region,” Fragada said.

The study was scheduled to start on the last week of April.

Fragada said that the population count and assessment of the tarsier will be managed by the DENR except for Kapalong area, where the study will be shared between the department's regional office and the Davao Speleological and Conservation Society.

Known as the smallest primate, the tarsier’s size is not larger than an adult person’s hand. Tarsiers are nocturnal, and they ingest insects to survive.

In 1986, the Philippine Tarsier was assessed as “endangered” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Monitoring Center and remains up to this date.

Fragada also emphasized that the Philippine Tarsier is among the country’s wildlife species placed under a “protection” status, which means its sale and collection is strictly prohibited.

Fragada, meanwhile, announced that the regional office is hosting this year’s National Caving Congress from April 8 to April 12 in New Corella, Davao del Norte.

She said that the event will serve as a venue for cave hobbyists and other stakeholders, where all caving-related programs and issues will be tackled. - Jerille Gonzales, Philstar.com Trainee