“Tarsius Syrichta” or as we all know, the “Philippine Tarsiers” can be found in Bohol, Samar, Leyte and parts of Mindanao.

Tarsiers’ eyes are 150 times bigger than humans relative to body size. Their head can rotate 180 degrees and their ears move to the direction of sounds. They have elongated leg bone, elongated feet and toes that grip. Tarsiers can jump up to 5 meters and uses its long tail for balance.

Tarsiers eats grasshoppers, crickets, locusts, ants, bees, wasps, dragonflies, beetles, stick insects, butterflies and moths. These nocturnal species are very sensitive and tends to kill themselves if in captivity by holding their breath, refuses to eat or bang their heads in the cage until they die. Tarsiers can only live for 30 days in captivity.

They prefer to live alone in their own territory and they will only come together if mating season arrives. Tarsiers only breed or mate from October to March. Male tarsiers mate with a female tarsier, then leave to find another female to mate. Tarsier females only give birth to one tarsier per year. Baby tarsiers stay with their parent for 6-7 months only and then they are left on their own.

Tarsiers in the wild can live up to 15 to 20 years old. Tarsiers can start mating when he reaches 2 years of age. The age of a tarsier can be defined by body size and body color. Grey brown color indicates a young tarsier, while a brown color indicates an old one.

Back in 1998, Tarsiers are captured to be sold as household pets, but they only live for a month in cages. It was then that the Philippine government financed to establish the Philippine Tarsier Foundation’s sanctuary in Canapnapan, Corella, Bohol, with 7.4 hectares having 20+ tarsier to start.

Aside from protecting the tarsiers, the foundation also exists to bring awareness and education the people to protect and care for these animals.

Proclamation # 1030 declares the Philippine Tarsier as a specially protected faural species of the Philippines.

To date, the sanctuary is now 8.4 hectares and protects around 100+ tarsiers in the area. The foundation receives donations from different organizations and individuals and receives continuous support from the Bohol Integrated Development Foundation.

Tarsiers are very tame and lives harmoniously with nature. Having the opportunity to visit their sanctuary made me aware and had gained respect to their right to live.