Bohol Tarsier Conservation Area — Attraction in Bohol

My experience at the Bohol Tarsier Conservation Area Bilar, Bohol was not very good. When I arrived and paid the entrance fee, I immediately went inside to see the tarsiers. To my surprise, the guides were just looking at me, and none of them had the courtesy to point out where the tarsiers were.

On the other hand, when a group of foreign tourists arrived, the staff welcomed them with smiles and guided them to where the tarsiers were located. It felt like there was discrimination between locals and foreigners, and I sincerely felt that during my visit.

In addition, when I finally saw one of the tarsiers hiding under large leaves—with a nice background that was perfect for a photo—I was excited to take a picture. However, I was completely disappointed because the cameraman assigned to that area started complaining. He said we wouldn't be getting individual photos because he was tired and there were many tourists coming, even though it was clear to me that there was no long line and my friend and I were actually the last in line.

So, we just accepted it and didn’t get our individual photo with the tarsier. It felt quite unfair, especially since the previous tourists were allowed individual photos. It also seemed like they were expecting a tip. But for me, tips should not be expected—it’s part of their job. They are being paid to provide proper service, and they should be willing to treat all guests fairly and respectfully.

By the way, the place was quite small and overcrowded. The surroundings were noisy, and based on my observation, the tarsiers were peacefully sleeping until the sound of a machine rang out. It was clear that they were disturbed by the noise.

Suggestions:

Please assign staff who are genuinely committed to their jobs and uphold strong ethical values, integrity, and respect for diversity.

Conduct proper training for your staff to treat all guests equally—both locals and foreigners—without bias in how they are greeted or assisted.

Improve the environment to make it quieter and more peaceful, prioritizing the well-being of the tarsiers. It’s confusing to see information presented about the tarsiers’ sensitivity to noise and stress, yet the actual conditions during our visit did not reflect...

I was staying in Batuan Bohol, at the Soul Centre hotel. 10/10 will visit again. Amazing staff there, with aircon and good breakfast included. Just 4km walk from chocolate hills, and a 20 minute ride to this tarsier village. I ate my breakfast quick and hired Paul from Batuan for a private tour guide. He is local in Batuan and such a friendly and outgoing driver, he was such a wonderful help providing me with some advice on where to go around the area. He helped me find the perfect route to match my personal wishes, thank you Paul. The land Bank atm is just next to the tourism office on the left side of the municipal building in the main square there, house of prints is just back towards chocolate hills with the best bbq stand across the street.

So tarsiers, make sure you go check these guys out. Paul brought me early before the park opens at 8am, to do some banking in the parking lot. There are snacks and things available in several shops around the conservatory. All in all, I think maybe ten tarsier around the way in there, with friendly and helpful workers standing by to help point them out for you, and answer any questions you may have. The tour is kind of this self guided route along a nice boardwalk with handy rails. There are a few up's and downs in there, but no stairs so a limited access individual can visit too. It's not so far to go around in there, maybe if your in a rush you can go in 20 minutes but come on, look at those eyes! These are rhe smallest monkey ever. Fr Fr. They didn't move around much. Then there is a pretty cool shop at the end of the tour where you can purchase your shirts, bags, hats, hats with bags, bags that are hats, and many other things around like magnets, chains, wallets, piece of coconut, and many other things. No flash photography po.

--- Edit: - - - they were doing some construction in there. It doesn't interfere with the tour, but it looks like maybe they're making room for more viewing pleasures! Can't wait for my return in Batuan!!! Also, if you ask me. Manmade forest is pretty cool, but is on the way to conservatory. So. Just a stop in the middle of the road, if you like taking photos while traffic goes...

Disappointing Visit to Tarsier Conservation Area

My visit to the Tarsier Conservation Area was far from what I expected, especially considering the conservation status of these fascinating nocturnal creatures. The most jarring aspect of my visit was the apparent lack of noise control within the conservation area. Tarsiers are known for their sensitivity to noise, which can cause them significant stress and even lead to their death. Despite this, there was a noticeable lack of efforts to minimize noise pollution, which could have a detrimental impact on these vulnerable animals.

Furthermore, the behavior of the staff was concerning. I witnessed staff members taking photos of the tarsiers from a distance of about 6 inches away. This close proximity is not only invasive but can also be incredibly stressful for the tarsiers, potentially harming their well-being.

Although the conservation area is quite large with ample hidden spots that could provide a safe and quiet refuge for the tarsiers, many of them were found sitting in places conveniently next to paths. This positioning makes it likely for the animals to be disturbed by visitors. It's hard to believe that these tarsiers would choose to stay in such exposed and potentially stressful locations if they had a choice. This arrangement seems more tailored for the convenience of visitors rather than the welfare of the tarsiers.

Overall, my experience left me deeply concerned about the priorities of the Tarsier Conservation Area. It seems that more emphasis is placed on visitor satisfaction rather than the health and safety of the tarsiers. For a facility that claims to be dedicated to the conservation of these unique animals, the lack of consideration for their natural behaviors and needs is disheartening. Conservation efforts should prioritize the well-being of the animals above all else, and unfortunately, this was not the case...