Philippine tarsier

The Philippine tarsier is one of the strangest and most endearing animals on the planet. It measures barely 15 cm and can fit in the palm of your hand. Its oversized, fixed, immense eyes make it look like a character from an animated film, but they cannot move in their sockets: to look to the side, it can rotate its head 180 degrees. It is a nocturnal, solitary animal, extremely sensitive to noise and light.

In Bohol, tarsiers were once widespread in the south of the island, but since the 1960s their population has dropped sharply, mainly because of habitat destruction, hunting, and illegal trade. Keeping them in captivity is prohibited in the Philippines, and exposing them in an uncontrolled way can cause such stress that it drastically reduces their life expectancy.

We observed them in Bohol, at the Philippine Tarsier Foundation sanctuary in Corella, a non-profit organization supported by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, covering around 167 hectares. The visit is done in a very small group, in silence, with a guide, and without flash. A discreet, respectful, and completely unforgettable encounter.