DENR-13 releases tarsier in mangrove area in SurSur town

BUTUAN CITY, September 6 (PIA) - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services (PAWCZMS) has released a Philippine Tarsier in a mangrove area in Sitio Amontay, Barangay Adlay in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur recently.

The mangrove area is considered the natural habitat of the Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius Syrichta) and was captured by certain Joselito Calising, a fisherman in the same area. The fisherman, at first thought of keeping it as a pet but later decided to turn-over the tarsier to the personnel of Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Cantilan.

Mario L. Eludo, Regional Technical Director of PAWZCMS reminded the residents living along the coastal areas in Carrascal and its neighboring towns to protect the tarsier which is being considered an endangered species.

Popularly known as “Amag” to the fisher folk because of its bright wide eyes, the freed tarsier stands a total length of about 28 cms.

Tarsiers are endemic in the Southern Philippine islands of Bohol, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao. Tarsiers dwell in forest and bush thickets although there are sightings of them in mangrove areas such as that found by a fisherman in Carrascal. This type of tarsier, however, is found to be quite larger than their counterpart in Bohol province. (FEA/EFG/Angel De La Torre, DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)

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