DENR probes vlogger’s improper handling of tarsiers for content | ABS-CBN
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DENR probes vlogger’s improper handling of tarsiers for content
DENR probes vlogger’s improper handling of tarsiers for content
Josiah Eleazar Antonio,
ABS-CBN News
Published Apr 10, 2024 06:06 PM PHT
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Updated Jun 10, 2024 03:16 PM PHT
The National Museum of Natural History in Manila Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
The National Museum of Natural History in Manila Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News MANILA (UPDATED) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said Wednesday that they are looking into video of two vloggers manhandling Philippine Tarsiers, a threatened species that is endemic to the Philippines.
MANILA (UPDATED) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said Wednesday that they are looking into video of two vloggers manhandling Philippine Tarsiers, a threatened species that is endemic to the Philippines.
Clips of a video by a vlogger known as "Farm Boy" holding and playing with a tarsier as his companion plucked another one from a tree have raised an outcry on social media.
Clips of a video by a vlogger known as "Farm Boy" holding and playing with a tarsier as his companion plucked another one from a tree have raised an outcry on social media.
"This is to inform the public that the DENR-12 (Soccsksargen) monitoring and enforcement team received a report on Monday, April 8, about a disturbing video of improper treatment of Philippine Tarsiers," the agency said in a statement.
"This is to inform the public that the DENR-12 (Soccsksargen) monitoring and enforcement team received a report on Monday, April 8, about a disturbing video of improper treatment of Philippine Tarsiers," the agency said in a statement.
It said that its investigation has found that the two tarsiers have been released into the wild.
It said that its investigation has found that the two tarsiers have been released into the wild.
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"However, the agency is still looking for further actions to be taken on the wildlife incident," DENR added.
"However, the agency is still looking for further actions to be taken on the wildlife incident," DENR added.
In an online exchange, conservation group Philippine Tarsier Foundation said tarsiers are nocturnal and are usually “resting and more helpless in the daytime,” making it easier for the vloggers to catch them.
In an online exchange, conservation group Philippine Tarsier Foundation said tarsiers are nocturnal and are usually “resting and more helpless in the daytime,” making it easier for the vloggers to catch them.
“If it was nighttime, it would have been hard (to capture them) as they would see [the vloggers] and escape,” the foundation also told ABS-CBN News.
“If it was nighttime, it would have been hard (to capture them) as they would see [the vloggers] and escape,” the foundation also told ABS-CBN News.
“But then again. it's a mother and a baby — she won’t be that agile as she will be carrying the baby.”
“But then again. it's a mother and a baby — she won’t be that agile as she will be carrying the baby.”
FOUNDATION CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
The Philippine Tarsier Foundation earlier called out the act, stressing that people 'showcasing animal harassment' should be held accountable.
The Philippine Tarsier Foundation earlier called out the act, stressing that people 'showcasing animal harassment' should be held accountable.
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"'(A)nonymous' people purposely do stupid things and post it online for views... and pages post them for monetization. (I)f you want to help. please report them," it said.
"'(A)nonymous' people purposely do stupid things and post it online for views... and pages post them for monetization. (I)f you want to help. please report them," it said.
Social media platforms like Facebook can take down content found to have violated community standards like showing animal abuse.
Social media platforms like Facebook can take down content found to have violated community standards like showing animal abuse.
"The internet has been used to trigger all sorts negativity and frenzy for the sake of monetization. Showcasing 'Animal harassment' must not get incentivized. and accounts who leverage on it for clout must be taught a lesson," the conservation group said.
"The internet has been used to trigger all sorts negativity and frenzy for the sake of monetization. Showcasing 'Animal harassment' must not get incentivized. and accounts who leverage on it for clout must be taught a lesson," the conservation group said.
The Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act penalizes "maltreating and/or inflicting other injuries" on wildlife.
The Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act penalizes "maltreating and/or inflicting other injuries" on wildlife.
The same law prohibits extractive activities like burning, logging, mining and quarrying in areas that the government declares critical habitats.
The same law prohibits extractive activities like burning, logging, mining and quarrying in areas that the government declares critical habitats.
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THREATENED HABITATS
Philippine Tarsiers are included in the DENR’s list of threatened species and face habitat loss as well as the threat of illegal capture and trade.
Philippine Tarsiers are included in the DENR’s list of threatened species and face habitat loss as well as the threat of illegal capture and trade.
The New England Primate Conservancy notes that tarsiers generally do not do well in captivity because of their specialized diet. Tarsiers have also been documented to "engage in self-injurious behavior" in captivity.
The New England Primate Conservancy notes that tarsiers generally do not do well in captivity because of their specialized diet. Tarsiers have also been documented to "engage in self-injurious behavior" in captivity.
“The main threats to primates are habitat destruction, particularly from the burning and clearing of tropical forests – which results in the release of greenhouse gases causing climate change – the hunting of primates for food, and the illegal wildlife trade,” International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources wrote in 2015 when it included the Philippine Tarsier in its list of 25 most endangered primates.
“The main threats to primates are habitat destruction, particularly from the burning and clearing of tropical forests – which results in the release of greenhouse gases causing climate change – the hunting of primates for food, and the illegal wildlife trade,” International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources wrote in 2015 when it included the Philippine Tarsier in its list of 25 most endangered primates.
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