COMPOSTELA, Davao de Oro — A rare encounter with one of the Philippines’ most fragile wildlife species unfolded Saturday afternoon after a resident rescued a Philippine tarsier (Carlito syrichta) found wandering near a farm area in Purok 3 Award, Barangay Tamia, Compostela.
The rescue was captured on video at around 3 p.m. on January 31 and later shared online by Fernando Alinsonorin Jr., who said the group noticed the tiny primate while it was moving through their farmland.
“We saw the animal passing through our field,” Alinsonorin said in an interview with DXDC RMN Davao. “We decided to move it because we felt compassion for it, especially knowing that it is already endangered.”
Alinsonorin admitted the experience was deeply emotional for them, underscoring how rare and moving the encounter was for residents.
“Seeing this animal made us emotional. When we released it, we almost cried realizing that such a creature still exists here in our area,” he added.
A fragile species beyond Bohol
Long associated with Bohol, the Philippine tarsier is also known to inhabit parts of Mindanao. According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), tarsiers are present in the Davao Region, including Davao de Oro and neighboring provinces such as Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental.
In 2013, DENR officials confirmed the discovery of significant tarsier colonies in Barangay Suaon in Kapalong, Davao del Norte, and Barangay Bobon in Mati, Davao Oriental—findings that expanded scientific understanding of the species’ range in Mindanao.
In Davao de Oro, sightings like the one in Compostela have been reported mostly in forested or agricultural fringe areas, often prompting rescue or relocation efforts by environmental authorities.
Protected, but still at risk
The Philippine tarsier is classified as an “Other Threatened Species” (OTS) under DENR Administrative Order 2019-09 and is protected by Proclamation No. 1030. Despite this legal protection, habitat loss, human disturbance, and improper handling continue to threaten its survival.
DENR has repeatedly warned the public that tarsiers are extremely sensitive animals. Touching, holding, or keeping them as pets can cause severe stress that may lead to death—a phenomenon often referred to by wildlife experts as stress-induced mortality.
Authorities urge residents who encounter tarsiers to immediately report sightings to the nearest DENR office, particularly the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Davao de Oro, which is responsible for managing wildlife cases and assessing potential habitat protection.
Conservation through awareness
Following confirmed sightings in the region, DENR, in coordination with local government units and tourism offices, has conducted population monitoring and launched Conservation Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) campaigns to help communities understand how to coexist with the species.
Environmental advocates say the recent rescue in Compostela highlights both hope and urgency: hope that tarsiers still survive in Mindanao’s remaining green spaces, and urgency for stronger community awareness and habitat protection.
As development and land conversion continue to reshape rural landscapes, the fleeting appearance of a wide-eyed tarsier in a Davao de Oro farm serves as a quiet reminder—some of the country’s most vulnerable wildlife are closer than many realize, and their survival depends largely on how humans choose to respond.