First part of radio-telemetry was finished

We spent already several months on the locality following tarsiers every night. During this time we had opportunity to collect valuable data about their nightly movements and home-range size. We also got several recordings of their acoustic communication. At the end of April one of the radio-collared female gave birth and we had very special opportunity to study another part of their lives. We followed the baby approximately for one month and watch its first steps. Unfortunately, our happiness didn?t last for long. The feral cats, civets, snakes and birds of prey are the most common natural predators and one of them also finished short life of our baby. It is very sad news, especially when the mother can also give birth once in a year

Shortly after this event we decided to finish our radio-tracking. We recaptured the animals and remove radio-collars. The first part of the field-work is over, but the project continues!

Summer Science Internship Program with tarsiers

This time we do not present news about tarsiers but something else strongly related to our work here.

One of the major parts of the Tarsius project is conservation education. In May we had great opportunity to lead Summer Science Internship Program for high school students. Thirteen students from Philippine Science High School in Cebu joined our project for twelve days. The major objectives were to teach them how to do the research in the field, educate them more about nature conservation and especially to give them more information about the unique Philippine tarsiers. During the first days we explain them all about the methodology that we used here. They learnt how to use GPS, an especially how to locate the animals using radio receiver, antenna and compass. We also showed them how to record tarsier vocalization. On the following days the students worked in pairs on data collection. One of the tasks for the students was to prepare an educational programs that can be used for elementary and high school students’ education here in the visitors centre in Corella.

I must say that the Summer Science Internship Program was very successful, the students enjoyed the stay and work here and gained much information about the necessity of nature conservation. And finally I’d like to thank to all participant.