Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
28 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
29 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
29 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
29 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the Philippines Corella Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary

Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary

A patch of Philippines forest devoted to saving the lives of an emotionally sensitive species of googly-eyed primates.

Corella, Philippines

Added By
Jee Ann
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary   JT Lim Majuro on Wikipedia
Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary   JT Lim Majuro on Wikipedia
Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary   Jee Ann / Atlas Obscura User
Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary   Judgefloro on Wikipedia
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

On the Philippine island of Bohol, there is a sanctuary populated not just by skinny trees but also by protected tarsiers, an endangered species of strange-looking primates that cling to the thin branches with their long, alien fingers.  

The Tarsier Sanctuary is a large forest dedicated to the protection of tarsiers, small nocturnal primates with big, round eyes that feed primarily on insects. They usually cling to low branches or the trunks of slim trees. Prior to the development of the sanctuaries, many tarsiers were kept as pets by private individuals in environments not conducive to their lifestyle and survival.

Tarsiers are delicate, emotionally sensitive creatures that get stressed easily (and they have been known to commit suicide via banging their heads against tree trunks), so visitors have to lower their voices and keep the noise level to a minimum. Visitors are allowed to take pictures (without the flash), but touching the tarsiers is an absolute taboo. 

The sanctuary is officially run by the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, an organization devoted to making sure that the dwindling and delicate population survives and thrives. The park also has a store where tourists can buy t-shirts, key chains, and hats to promote the protection and preservation of the tarsiers and their habitats.

Unfortunately the situation in the Philippines is obscure when it comes to organizations claiming to be tarsiers' conservation units. There is at least another one with the mention "conservation area" in the name but this is one is a mini-zoo, built only for touristic purposes. 

Related Tags

Animals Sanctuaries Monkeys

Know Before You Go

It's easy to find since it's well known. In the town of Corella, travel to Barangay Canapnapan to Tarsier Sanctuary Road, where you will find the sanctuary.

Community Contributors

Added By

Jee Ann

Edited By

Patti Neves, princessa1800, EricGrundhauser

  • Patti Neves
  • princessa1800
  • EricGrundhauser

Published

June 26, 2015

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://trippingunicorn.com/en/blog/animal-volunteering-in-southeast-asia
Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary
Tarsier Sanctuary Rd
Corella
Philippines
9.690783, 123.952689
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Chocolate Hills

Sierra Bullones, Philippines

miles away

Magellan's Cross

Cebu City, Philippines

miles away

Aguinid Falls

Oslob, Philippines

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Philippines

Philippines

Asia

Places 80
Stories 17

Nearby Places

Chocolate Hills

Sierra Bullones, Philippines

miles away

Magellan's Cross

Cebu City, Philippines

miles away

Aguinid Falls

Oslob, Philippines

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Philippines

Philippines

Asia

Places 80
Stories 17

Related Places

  • A male woolly monkey at the sanctuary.

    Looe, England

    The Monkey Sanctuary

    A wonderful safe haven founded in the 1960s to rescue endangered monkeys from the pet trade.

  • View of the Soutwest side of Monkey Island on Homosassa River.

    Homosassa, Florida

    Monkey Island of Homosassa

    In Florida, these naughty monkeys live on their own mini-monkey Alcatraz.

  • A tiger named Kiara plays with her scratch ball during enrichment time.

    Eureka Springs, Arkansas

    Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

    This mountaintop refuge rehabilitates tigers, lions, bears, and more from illicit wildlife trade—and offers overnight lodging.

  • Bison herd grazing.

    Bluffton, Indiana

    Ouabache State Park

    Home to some of Indiana's last bison herds.

  • Wien Museum Hermesvilla

    Vienna, Austria

    Wien Museum Hermesvilla

    A gift from Emperor Franz Joseph I to his wife.

  • A muriqui mother and infant

    Caratinga, Brazil

    The Muriquis of Feliciano Miguel Abdala Reserve

    A preserved section of the Atlantic Forest is an important habitat for these critically endangered monkeys.

  • A golden lion tamarin at Pouca das Antas

    Silva Jardim, Brazil

    The Golden Lion Tamarins of Poço das Antas

    These small, spectacular monkeys are making a comeback after deforestation destroyed much of their rainforest habitat.

  • David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

    Nairobi, Kenya

    David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

    This wildlife trust is dedicated to orphaned elephant rescue and conservation.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.