A New Home for Tarsier Conservation and Research
BOHOL - A new Tourist and Research Center at the Philippine Tarsier Foundation Inc. sanctuary in Corella, Bohol, was inaugurated on September 18, creating another space dedicated to understanding and protecting the Philippine tarsier. British Ambassador to the Philippines Sarah Hulton attended the inauguration as guest of honor and toured the sanctuary during her visit. The facility is expected to support conservation efforts, research activities, and responsible tourism, strengthening Corella’s role as an important destination for visitors interested in Bohol’s wildlife.
Corella Connects Visitors With Bohol’s Wildlife Heritage
The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella is already recognized by the Bohol Provincial Tourism Office as an ecotourism destination where visitors can learn about the small primates in a natural forest setting. The sanctuary is operated by the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in 1996 to help protect the species. Visitors are encouraged to observe the animals quietly, avoid touching them, and refrain from using flash photography. These practices are important because tourism at wildlife sites works best when visitors can appreciate animals without disrupting their natural behavior.
Research Can Help Make Tourism More Wildlife-Friendly
The new center also highlights how research and tourism can work together in protecting Bohol’s biodiversity. The Philippine tarsier (Carlito syrichta) is one of the country's distinctive wildlife species and remains closely associated with Bohol’s tourism identity. The provincial government has also emphasized biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and research-based storytelling as part of sustainable tourism development. With the new facility in Corella, visitors can see the tarsier not simply as a tourist attraction but as a species whose habitat, behavior, and protection are important to Bohol’s natural heritage.
