Loboc Tarsier Conservation Area: Why Conservationists Call for Its Closure

The Loboc Tarsier Conservation Area in Bohol continues to operate despite mounting evidence of animal welfare violations and conservation malpractice. The Philippine Tarsier Foundation has formally called for its closure.

Core Problems

• Substandard Living Conditions: Tarsiers confined in small, unhygienic enclosures lacking environmental enrichment.
• Inadequate Nutrition & Care: Failure to meet the specialized dietary and medical needs of these sensitive primates.
• Tourist Exploitation: Direct handling by visitors – touching, holding, flash photography – causes extreme stress to nocturnal, solitary animals.

Misrepresentation of Purpose

The facility markets itself as a "research and conservation center," but critics argue its primary function is tourism revenue. Genuine conservation prioritizes species survival in natural habitats, not captive display for entertainment.

Foundation's Position

The Philippine Tarsier Foundation asserts the facility "is not doing enough to protect tarsiers and is actually contributing to their decline" through practices that normalize captivity and fuel illegal trade.

The Better Choice

Redirect your support to reputable organizations working to protect tarsiers in their natural habitat through habitat preservation, research, community education, and anti-poaching efforts.

True conservation means protecting wild populations where they belong – not perpetuating captivity for tourist selfies.