Malungon, Sarangani Province – A Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) was recently sighted during a tarsier survey and monitoring activity in a protected watershed in Malungon, Sarangani Province. The sighting, which took place on February 12-13, 2025, highlights the area’s significance as a natural habitat for the elusive nocturnal primate.
The watershed, strictly protected by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Malungon and the Malungon Water District, serves as a crucial refuge for various wildlife species, including the Philippine Tarsier. Previous reports from local residents indicate the presence of a family of tarsiers in the area. According to community members, tarsiers were once abundant and frequently seen within the vicinity, reinforcing the ecological importance of the watershed.
To further conservation efforts, authorities conducted a Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) campaign to emphasize the ecological role of the Philippine Tarsier and the legal protections afforded to it. The campaign also provided information on Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, which strictly prohibits the hunting, harming, killing, maiming, or keeping of tarsiers as pets.
The Philippine Tarsier is currently classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat destruction and population decline. Conservationists stress that continued protection of the watershed and similar habitats is vital to ensuring the survival of the species and preserving the rich biodiversity of the Philippines.
With the LGU’s commitment to safeguarding the watershed and ongoing awareness efforts, the recent tarsier sighting serves as a hopeful sign of the effectiveness of conservation initiatives in Malungon.