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Introducing an innovative semi‐captive environment for the Philippine tarsier ( Tarsius syrichta )
Author(s) -
Jachowski David S.,
Pizzaras Carlito
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
zoo biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1098-2361
pISSN - 0733-3188
DOI - 10.1002/zoo.20023
Subject(s) - biology , home range , range (aeronautics) , ecology , enclosure , nocturnal , predator , zoology , habitat , predation , telecommunications , materials science , computer science , composite material
In response to demands for research, captive breeding, and tourism, a semi‐captive environment was created for the Philippine tarsiers ( Tarsius syrichta ) in Corella, Bohol, Philippines. The 7600‐m 2 enclosure was continuous with the surrounding habitat, and utilized a unique predator control fence design and a lighting system to attract nocturnal insects. During 2 years of observation, the locations of over 500 tarsier sleeping sites were recorded. Tarsiers were found to prefer dense, low‐level vegetation in secondary forests, with perching sites averaging 2 m above the ground. Up to 10 tarsiers were observed within the enclosure at one time, which is a high density compared to densities based on home‐range estimates for wild tarsiers in the vicinity of the study site. In addition, the tarsiers were observed to be more social than previously reported. Zoo Biol 24:101–109, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.