THOSE WHO want to visit the tarsier sanctuary in Tupi, South Cotabato will have to sign up for the “Voluntourism” program, wherein they will have to help plant trees to get the chance to see the smallest primates in their natural habitat. In a statement, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region 12 (DENR-12) office said walk-in visitors are no longer allowed as part of the conservation efforts. The sanctuary is located within the Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape (MMPL). “Tarsiers are nocturnal animals, hence they sleep during the day and are active only during the night, like owls. Hence, visitors are enjoined to avoid disturbing these animals in their natural habitat or when visiting the Tarsier Sanctuary,” said Gabriel M. Baute, the Protected Area superintendent of the 13,947-hectare MMPL. DENR-12 also noted that tarsiers are known to commit suicide when in captivity and exposed to such stressors like camera flash, human touch, and other sources of disturbance.

PROTECTION
The Voluntourism program was developed by the Tupi municipal government. Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) Rolando T. Visaya said they want to attract visitors who have “high regard and motivation for the protection and conservation of biodiversity, especially the tarsiers.” The Philippine tarsier (Tarsius Syrichta) has been declared a “specially protected faunal species” of the country through Proclamation No. 1030 signed on June 23, 1997 by then President Fidel V. Ramos. — MSJ

Those who want to visit the sanctuary may contact the Tupi MENRO at (083) 226-2800 or the MMPL PASu at (083) 228-1404.

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