Bohol Tarsier Conservation Experience

The Philippine tarsier (Carlito syrichta) is one of the world's most threatened primates — not by legal hunting, but by habitat destruction and the stress of inappropriate captivity. Tourist-facing tarsier attractions across the Philippines have historically kept tarsiers in conditions that cause them to commit suicide by head-banging, a stress response unique to the species. The Philippine Tarsier Foundation in Corella, Bohol operates differently: animals live in a 167-hectare protected forest where they can behave naturally.

This half-day conservation experience works alongside Foundation staff rather than simply observing animals. Participants assist with three activities: habitat monitoring transects (walking marked routes and recording tarsier sightings and signs using a standardised protocol), native tree planting in restoration zones adjacent to the sanctuary, and data entry and photo documentation at the Foundation's field station.

You are likely to observe 5-10 tarsiers during the monitoring transect — genuinely wild animals in the trees above you, hunting insects at dawn or dusk (the experience runs at both times to match their crepuscular activity). The experience is guided by Foundation researchers who explain population dynamics, territorial behaviour and the satellite-tagging programme currently running. You leave with a Foundation certificate and a deeper understanding of what wildlife conservation actually involves day to day.