(Who would have thought that he was actually asleep? How we wish we can have this kind of non-blinking ability in rare occasions.)
I am swinging back to my Bohol series.
For the longest time I’ve imagined meeting the souvenir keychain tarsier in flesh. And yes, if you can imagine it, it can happen.
I could have met the tarsiers earlier had I joined my colleagues in their Bohol side trip instead of staying in Cebu that one weekend in 2004. In one of my previous jobs, the travel opportunity was generous that made me complacent that I can set foot in Bohol whenever I want. But I had always deferred the visit until I went overseas and found myself envying those who have experienced the beauty of Bohol. Thanks to a good friend who held his wedding there last year. I had a more compelling reason to visit.
The tarsiers we saw up close were those in Loboc which is a tourist trail as you visit the Chocolate Hills or dine in the floating restaurant. Since they are considered endangered, the government of Bohol granted special permits only to few selected residents to showcase tarsiers. In particular, we went in to Kanipa an Kingdom which has four to five captive tarsiers on display. There was no entrance fee and I noticed that there was no donation box as well. I’m not sure if the other residents-hosts have the same practice. However, souvenir items are abundant. I presume that part of the proceeds helps fund the maintenance of the well-being of the tarsiers. Other pets on display were birds, species of lizards, tortoises and Philippine macaue.
Tiny, can be physically scary, or as comically tagged “freaky cute” (that they are now part of the existing Php 200 bill)…Â Â but hey, they are THE tarsiers! Together with the other visitors, we lined up to have our photos and videos taken with them. Everyone competed for their attention, but it seemed like they were asleep that early afternoon. Of course, they are known to be nocturnal. There were times that they moved their heads, resembling the rotating ability of the owls. As we posed with them, the visitors’ infamous look and strategy was to mimic their wide awake big eyes. No matter how tempted we were, we did not touch them since it is not allowed. There were reports that they have suicidal tendencies when they are put under pressure. However, I noticed that one of the residents-caretakers touched the heavier sleeper so that it will move its head in time for the visitor’s photo taking. That was when he got really squeaky (and see those teeth!) as shown in the photo above.
If you have enough time, you might want to visit the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary which is in Barangay Canapnapan, Corella, Bohol. With at least 100 tarsiers to see in their natural habitat, I think that the extra kilometers trip would be worth it.
0 thoughts on “The tarsiers of Loboc”
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I would love a little stuffed tarsier if I cannot visit these natural wonders. Yes I think they are wonder – full 🙂
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kayni
i agree with the description “freaky cute.” i’d love to see a real one someday. the stuff toys are cute too.
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chyng
i chose to see them in corella (back in my 2009 visit) may hunting moments pa sa sanctuary nila before you can see them. the tarsiers in their natural habitat is incomparable. yung mga nasa loboc (basing from my friends’ photos) parang mamamatay na anytime. =(
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Daphne
I believe we visited the Tarsier sanctuary though I’m not sure. We were even allowed to feed the tarsiers some crickets which were impaled on a BBQ stick. The freaky thing is that the crickets were still alive. Yikes. My sister couldn’t bear to do it so I stepped up and did the task. Hehe 😀
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bursky
“biruin na ang lasing, huwag lang ang bagong gising!” should be taken to heart… whether man or animal. 😉 i don’t see them as ‘freaky’ though. i’d like to think of them as less-cuddly koalas. haha!
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upto6only
cute and adorable sila except yung gawa sa bunot hehehe.
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kg
OMG! the tarsier in the first photo is asleep? that is one skill that is going to be useful…especially at work! he he!
i learned a lot about tarsiers when we visited bohol. interesting facts! they’re cute, but i’m not keen on touching them. 🙂
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marikoy
They used to let tourists pose with the tarsiers on their arms… that was back when I visited the place in 2003. I’ve heard they don’t do that anymore, to keep the tarsiers in better condition …is that true? They’re so cute!
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witsandnuts
Yes, the tarsiers can’t be touched anymore by the visitors.
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Kate
i love their faces! 🙂 I just hope that the tarsiers and their natural habitat will be protected by the government. It will be too sad if ever they become extinct 😦
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docgelo
you made tarsier extra adorable on that first pic, jo!
i and my family have never been to bohol; we hope we could experience bohol next year if work schedule permits.
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jeanny
tarsiers are really cute and I didnt expect na ganun sila kaliit. 🙂
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dong ho
i really hope that their population will grow in great numbers specially the ones in the wild.
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sheng
That still tops in my list! Bohol!
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Faith
the tarsiers are really cute, aren’t they? great photos!
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HalfCrazy
2:30 ng madaling araw na dito sa Pilipinas at medyo na freak out ako nung nakita ko yung pictures nitong Tarsier. Nakakatakot, parang mga chanak na nag-anyong hayop. Haha!
I love the information about dun sa kapag too much pressure, meron silang suicidal tendencies. Now that IS NEW! Buti walang nag-aatubiling kulitin sila. Pero I’m sure merong mga nag-attempt!
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Gremliness
I have a pasalubong tarsier keychain too. And oh, you made me wish to see them in flesh too (and observe more how they sleep with open eyes. I would have needed that skill back in school 🙂 )
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mordsith
di nga? nakadilat silang matulog?!? ang galing! =)
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krys
I would love to have a tarsier as a pet. i think they can be mans best friend. 🙂
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rob
.. also want to visit bohol so i can take a picture of myself with a tarsier. 😀
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bw
was he sleeping really ? That’s strange ! They look freaky cute indeed and with their nasty teeth I wouldn’t be too friendly with them 😉
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lanie
Loboc is facing complaints as to why they allow tourists to get too close and hold tarsiers… they have a tendency to commit suicide whenever stressed… and one major cause of their stress is human interaction, the crowd, and loud voices or noise. They should never be disturbed. You should’ve just observed them, not too close… Loboc apparently doesn’t know how to properly care for these solitary creatures. They just do it for profit. You should have been to Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, Bohol… You’ll understand them more.. You’ll be more educated as to how to treat these nocturnal animals. Take a shot, fine, but never hold them. Cute as they appear, they are not toys.
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