Bohol bans possession, display of tarsiers

MANILA, Philippines – Bohol is no longer the right place for people who want to own a tarsier or use it for commercial purposes. This was after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bohol passed an ordinance prohibiting the possession and display of tarsiers, considered as the smallest primate species in the world. A report in GMA News’ “24 Oras” Wednesday said the approval of the measure was triggered by the proliferation of farms and businesses that are displaying tarsiers for a fee. Violators of the ordinance would be slapped with a P5,000 fine and will be meted with a jail term of not less than six months, the report said. The report said tarsiers suffer stress every time they are exposed to humans. It added that the provincial government wanted tarsiers to remain in their natural habitat. The provincial government also passed a resolution urging the Environment Department to stop issuing wildlife permits that allow the use of tarsiers for commercial purposes. Aside from Bohol, tarsier can be found in Samar, Surigao and Sulu islands. - Fidel Jimenez, GMANews.TV