Corella: Home of the Philippine Tarsiers in Bohol

Bohol Island is considered to be one of the tourist gems of the Philippines. This small island located at the Visayas region, was blessed with white sand beaches breathtaking natural surroundings like the world-famous Chocolate hills. The island of Bohol is also known and famous worldwide because the place has been one of the homes of one of the smallest primate on earth, the Tarsiers. The number of these tarsiers has dwindled for years and the Philippines, particularly at Bohol, through the efforts of the local government, tries their best to preserve and increase Tarsiers population.

Corella: The haven of Tarsiers in the Philippines

Corella is an interior municipality northeast of Tagbilaran. 'Nug-as' was the place's former name. Corrella was used to be one of Baclayon's barrio. The town was officially known as 'Corella' in 1884 when it was organized as a regular municipality. The town of Corella is a sixth (6th) class municipality in the island of Bohol. Corella, though may not have major commerce, the town serves as the water reservoir for Tagbilaran City residents. Nonetheless, one of the municipality's assets is the Philippine Tarsier Foundation that is located at Barangay Canapnapan.

Philippine Tarsier Foundation

Situated at Canapnapan, Corella, the Philippine Tarsier Foundation has been strategically instituted at a forest foothill. In order to counter the diminishing population of Tarsiers in Bohol, the foundation set two (2) major goals. First, the foundation is set to protect Philippine Tarsiers and its habitat from total annihilation by fostering environmental awareness, continuous development of protected areas of wild life in Bohol and do research programs. Lastly, the foundation is set also to provide socio-economic development prospects for the locals by introducing eco-tourism-related jobs and undertakings.

Programs of Philippine Tarsier Foundation

Do Research

The foundation undertakes research data and materials on Philippine Tarsier from several institutions and bureaus in the country and other parts of the world. They are responsible for the creating of information and promotional supplies.

Habitat management

Philippine Tarsier Foundation, to date, has already acquired 7.4 hectares of land in Canapnapan, Corella for Tarsiers’ sanctuary. The foundation performed series of social, photographic, topographic and environmental assessments and surveys to put up the sanctuary. For these reason, the foundation requested assistance from other Bohol municipalies with tarsier populations to contribute 20 hectares of forestland for preservation. The existing area is currently as a large net enclosed space where 100 Philippine Tarsiers are safe from predators and as well conducive for display, feeding and breeding. Reforestation has been conducted to aid the conservation cause.

Community Management

An association of locals or citizens from all walks of life had been encouraged by the foundation to form 'Friends of Tarsiers'. It aims the local or the general public to be consigned to efforts of conserving tarsiers through environmental preservation and protection as a whole. It also asked the community to aid the cause by asking donations and any forms of assistance. Thus, it helps tapping private sectors to help the foundation through mainly through financial funding because of the government's limited funding. The community management program of the foundation also targets to replicate and expand the preservation program in other areas with tarsier population like Samar, Leyte and Mindanao.

Visitor Supervision

The Tarsier Research and Development Center serves the visitor center of the foundation. Visitors or tourists may choose to see and observe tarsiers in the enclosed net or through the tarsier trail which is their nature habitat. Inside the enclosed place, tourists can get up close and personal with the animals. They can take pictures but recommended to do the activity silently as much as possible to avoid stressing the animal. Handling or holding the tarsier is also prohibited.

Tarsier Trail

It is a track that wanders through the gently rolling terrain into the interior municipalities of Loboc, Sikatuna and Corella. This is more or less 15 kilometers trek that passes through natural habitat of Philippine tarsiers and the trail also offers several vantage spots in catching a glimpse of the wild, especially of the tarsiers', and also become accustomed to the wide diversity of the local flora and fauna.

Bohol is truly a very gifted place in the Philippines. Nature has bestowed in this small island a paradise-like ambiance that makes this place a world-class and internationally recognized tourist destination. Eco-tourism would be the best means to preserve this wonderful and natural beauty that this island possess.

Bohol has been one of the considered havens of the remaining tarsiers especially of the Philippine Tarsiers. The Philippine Tarsier Foundation at Corella, Bohol, serves as the advocate of the preservation and conservation of tarsiers and the environment as a whole. For this reason, Eco-tourism has been encouraged to maintain Bohol's reputation as one of best tourist spot in the world.