1. Disturbance to Natural Behavior: Tarsiers are nocturnal and solitary creatures, and confining them to enclosures alters their natural routines and behaviors. Tarsiers in the wild typically spend most of their time arboreal, leaping between trees and rarely resting for extended periods. Placing them in enclosures restricts their movement and prevents them from performing their usual acrobatic feats.
2. Stress and Health Issues: Being in captivity and facing constant exposure to humans can cause enormous stress for tarsiers. This stress could lead to various health problems and compromise their overall well-being and longevity.
3. Poor Conservation Practices: The goal of conservation areas should be to protect and conserve wildlife within their natural habitats. Enclosing tarsiers and displaying them for tourists can be perceived as a form of entertainment rather than a genuine effort towards conservation.
4. Inaccurate Representation: Seeing tarsiers in captivity may provide visitors with an inaccurate representation of these creatures' true nature. Visitors might leave with a distorted view of tarsier behavior and ecology.
5. Ethical Considerations: Some people argue that it's ethically questionable to keep tarsiers or other animals in confined spaces for the entertainment of tourists. Wildlife conservation should always place the animals' well-being first.
6. Lack of Education: While some facilities may offer educational information, the experience of seeing tarsiers in captivity may not provide a comprehensive educational opportunity about the importance of conservation and the species' role in the ecosystem.
7. Alternatives for Tarsier Observation: There are other more ethical ways to observe tarsiers in their natural habitat without subjecting them to captivity and stress. Some reputable eco-tourism operators offer wildlife night tours or hikes in areas where tarsiers can be spotted in their natural environment, causing minimal disturbance.
If you're visiting Bohol, it's important to prioritize the well-being of wildlife and make informed choices about your activities to ensure you're not supporting unethical practices.
