How to see tarsiers in Bohol ethically: our dilemma and experience

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When planning a trip to Bohol, you’ll quickly get excited at the opportunity to see tarsiers – small, shy, and one of the most unusual animals in the Philippines. But when wildlife is involved, research is important, and we soon realised that wanting to see them comes with a dilemma. We had already removed Oslob (whalesharks) from our itinerary because the experience felt unethical to us, and we wondered if we should do the same for Bohol’s tarsiers…

This article isn’t written as a lesson. We’re not experts. It’s just what we learned from our experience in Bohol to help you make more informed choices about visiting tarsiers in a way that feels right to you.

Why tarsiers and tourism are a difficult mix

Tarsiers are nocturnal, extremely shy, and very sensitive to disturbance. Even small amounts of stress can harm them. That’s why tourism, even with the best intentions, can be tricky.

In Bohol, Philippine tarsiers were once common in the southern part of the island, but since the 1960s their numbers have dropped to around 700. Threats include habitat destruction, fragmentation, hunting, pollution from agriculture, and human disturbance. Many tarsiers have been taken from the wild for the pet trade, despite their poor survival in captivity. Life expectancy decreases dramatically outside their natural habitat, and human contact, artificial lights, and noise can cause serious stress.

Conservation and awareness are therefore crucial. Sanctuaries and not-for-profit initiatives can work to protect remaining populations and educate locals. Tourism can contribute to funding and awareness, but it must be carefully managed to avoid doing more harm than good.

The most ethical option

If your priority is the tarsier’s well-being above all else, the most ethical choice is simple: choose not to see a tarsier in real life. It’s sad but real: viewing them during the day, even in a sanctuary, could stress the animal. And if you choose to skip your visit, you can still support conservation with donations to protect tarsiers and their habitats.

It’s a hard call when seeing a tarsier is a highlight for many travellers going to Bohol. While skipping Oslob’s whalesharks was an easy choice – there are many other responsible ways to see whale sharks elsewhere – it’s not like that for tarsiers. And if you’re already visiting Bohol and driving past the sanctuary, it becomes a very tempting stop. While not perfect, supporting ecotourism initiatives, where rules are enforced and tourism helps fund conservation and education, felt like a way to mitigate some negative impacts.

Our experience at the Philippine Tarsier Foundation (Corella)

We visited the Philippine Tarsier Foundation sanctuary in Corella. The sanctuary covers about 167 hectares in Corella and Sikatuna and is run by a not-for-profit organisation supported by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Tourism (DOT). The visit starts with a short conservation video, followed by a small area to learn more about tarsiers, before volunteers guide tiny groups – just the two of us in our case – to see a couple of tarsiers in a controlled but natural zone.

While seeing tarsiers in such a setting is far from perfect, choosing a guided ecotourism activity run by a not-for-profit, with clear and enforced rules, small groups, and an educational focus felt like the least harmful option available to us.

I’ll be honest: it’s hard to feel completely sure you are doing the right thing. It felt strange to see several tarsiers within a relatively small area, and so conveniently accessible from the paths. That said, there are multiple paths, which naturally increases the chance of spotting a tarsier near one of them.

During our trip in the Philippines, we heard a few stories suggesting that they sometimes just say what tourists want to hear. We can only hope this sanctuary’s work fully focuses on benefiting the broader species.

Why we chose not to visit the Bohol Tarsier Conservation Area in Pilar

The second option – and the most famous – is the Bohol Tarsier Conservation Area in Pilar. From what we saw and heard from locals, it attracts crowds and much larger groups. One of the reasons we decided not to visit the Pilar site is that, despite having “conservation” in its name, we couldn’t find clear information about who runs it or how visitor fees are used. Transparency isn’t a guarantee of ethical practice, but it’s still something we value when wildlife is involved.

Some videos show visitors going self-guided, taking photos from very close, and generally making more noise. Sightings are centred around a raised boardwalk, so it’s even more surprising than in Corella to have them consistently perched in trees right next to it. At least, the boardwalk seemed to have a barrier, which – I hope – can help maintain some distance between visitors and the animals.

The main draw we kept hearing about was that you can see more tarsiers in Pilar. For us, quality mattered a lot more than quantity – seeing one tarsier in a lower-impact setting was enough. More sightings do not mean a better experience for the animals or visitors; in fact, it often means disturbing more animals, which makes it a lesser experience for everyone when you realise this.

Spotting tarsiers in the wild

While tarsiers do live in Bohol forests, spotting one as a tourist is almost impossible. Even when a guide points one out during the day, it can be difficult to see. Nighttime spotting doesn’t seem realistic. We came across a night safari tour at Rajah Sikatuna National Park but decided to skip it after doing some research. Wild sightings are extremely rare and should not be expected.

What to know before you go

If you decide to see tarsiers in Bohol, knowing what to expect will help you minimise your impact. Here are a few tips to consider:

Keep in mind the goal isn’t just to see tarsiers – it’s to limit your impact to protect them
Visits are short and you may not see the small tarsiers closely – go with realistic expectations
Respect the rules and your guide’s instructions, but also use common sense if rules aren’t enforced
Always use a zoom lens rather than approaching the tarsier
If you’re visiting with others, avoid everyone taking photos. Choosing one person to photograph the tarsier and share the images later helps keep the encounter calmer and less intrusive
Do not use camera flashes
Avoid selfies or posing with the animal – if a tarsier is visible in your photo, it usually means you’re standing too close.
Stay quiet (put your phone on silent!) and move slowly

What else you can do

Tourism influences how guides and drivers recommend activities. Many base their advice on what tourists want, which often means the most popular options. Our driver repeatedly suggested Pilar because it allows seeing more tarsiers. We explained we preferred a short, low-impact visit and wanted to support a not-for-profit, educational sanctuary instead. He didn’t fully grasp our point, but if more travellers express the same values, local guides may start recommending alternatives.

Have you seen tarsiers in Bohol? Share your experience in the comments below!

Where is the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary?

Located in Corella in central Bohol, the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary is easily accessible from Tagbilaran and Panglao. You can get there by scooter, arrange a driver through your accommodation, or book a private driver via platforms like Klook.