The Linan Tarsier Project

This is the Linan Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) discovered in Linan, Tupi, South Cotabato, Philippines - the subject of preservation programs of the provincial government in partnership with South Cotabato Culture and Arts Foundation, Inc and US-based Endangered Species International. Their habitat is located just a few steps from a Blaan community nestled at the foot of Tablew mountain.

The Blaans were recorded to be the first inhabitants of South Cotabato province and being in the identified tarsier sanctuary, they become the stakeholders of the preservation program and as such, they are undergoing training on preservation of their environment and culture.

The training is in full swing. We built a replica of Blaan traditional house, bigger than the average Blaan houses as a repository of their cultural heritage - a gallery at present which we all dream to become a museum in the future. The educational process and the intervention that we are doing is in line with the restoration of their ethnic pride in the social mainstream.