The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday, April 10, is investigating a disturbing video of a man’s improper handling of Philippine Tarsiers.
“The Department has already conducted an investigation into the matter and discovered that the two tarsiers features in the video were released into the wild by the vlogger,” DENR said in a statement.
“However, the agency is still looking for further actions to be taken on the wildlife incident,” it added.
The investigation came after a video of a vlogger named “Farm Boy” from Polomolok, South Cotabato where they are seen gasping tarsiers in distress.
Waaah! Yung tarsier! Nanahimik yung primate sa kanyang habitat, inistorbo ni kuya! Hindi ba niya alam ang proper way in handling and dealing with these animals?! Naawa ako huhuhu! Naka strike 2 na ang Bohol @DENROfficial @peta
— @pauloinmanila and 99 others (@pauloMDtweets) April 10, 2024
©️ SAF Special Asay Force (fb) pic.twitter.com/4vW4ZGg7Yv
The video went viral on social media sites, with netizens clamoring for the tarsiers’ safety since stress often leads to tarsier suicide and becomes the highest contributor to their mortality rate.