Bohol is a beautiful island province located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. One of its must-visit attractions is the Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area where visitors can observe the Philippine Tarsier.
WHAT IS A TARSIER?
Tarsiers are small, nocturnal primates known for their unique appearance and fascinating behaviors. The Philippine tarsier is one of the world’s smallest primates, measuring only 3-6 inches in length and weighing just a few ounces. One of their most striking features is their large, round eyes, which give them excellent night vision. Despite their diminutive size, these little animals have quite an appetite and are known to feed on a variety of prey, including insects, spiders, and small vertebrates.
Tarsiers are also remarkable in their physical abilities. With the ability to rotate their heads 180 degrees and jump up to 10 feet, they are impressive and agile hunters.
Due to habitat loss and illegal pet trade, Philippine tarsiers are classified as vulnerable, making conversation efforts all the more crucial for protecting them and their ecosystems.
HOW TO GET THERE
There are many companies that offer tours to the Tarsier Sanctuary, but the most economical way to get there is to rent a motorbike and drive yourself. The sanctuary is located in Corella, which is around 18 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. We opted to rent a motorbike and drive there ourselves from our hotel in Panglao, and we highly recommend it! The drive was absolutely beautiful, and we were able to visit both the Chocolate Hills & the Tarsier Sanctuary in one morning.
ABOUT THE SANCTUARY
The Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary is a legitimate sanctuary, run by the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, that is dedicated to preserving this endangered species.
One important thing to note is that unfortunately, there are other companies in the area, such as the Loboc Tarsier Conservation Area, that exploit the Tarsiers for profit and don’t operate ethically.
Upon arriving at the Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary, we paid the 150 PHP/person ($2.7 USD) entrance fee, and the staff guided us to a room to watch a 5-minute-long informational video about the Philippine Tarsiers.
The video provided information about the sanctuary’s conservation efforts and also briefed us on the do’s and dont’s when visiting the tarsiers. Visitors are asked to remain completely silent during the tour and refrain from using flash photography so as not to scare the Tarsiers or hurt their eyes.
THE TOUR
The tour guide led us through the sanctuary, which is a forested area where the tarsiers roam freely. Each day the guides search the forest for the tarsiers so they can easily point them out to visitors. We walked along the designated trail and our guide pointed out the tarsiers perched on trees or branches.
It’s important to note that tarsiers are nocturnal creatures, so they are not as active during the daytime. We were lucky that all 4 tarsiers the guide showed us were awake (albeit a little sleepy) so we could see how huge their eyes really are.
The tour only lasts about 10 minutes, but you are welcome to take longer, if you want to spend more time looking or taking photos of one of the amazing little creatures. It is so cute to see the tiny primates cling to their branch, and blink their massive eyes at you. At the end of the tour you will be able to ask the guide some questions, and learn more about the Philippine tarsier.
Overall, the Tarsier Sanctuary in Bohol is a perfect little day trip from Panglao, especially if looped in with the Chocolate Hills. They are such adorable little animals, and it is inspirational to be at a wildlife conservation sanctuary dedicated to protecting these vulnerable creatures.
