MANILA, Philippines - The tarsier found resting in a tree at the Manila Golf Club in Makati City last week died yesterday afternoon.
The nocturnal creature was discovered dead in its cage at the Ninoy Aquino Wildlife Rescue Center in Quezon City.
Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) Director Theresa Mundita Lim said they would subject the tarsier to necropsy to find out the cause of death.
She said the tarsier had appeared healthy when it was turned over to the PAWB.
It had shown no signs of stress and was eating well in its cage, Lim added.
“If this did not happen, we planned to bring it to Bohol for its possible reintroduction to the wild. But because of this development, we’ll have to check first what happened to the animal,†she said.
The PAWB official said an investigation is ongoing to determine who brought the tarsier to the city.
Lim said the one responsible for transporting the tarsier faces charges for violating the Wildlife Act.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued an Administrative Order to protect and conserve the Philippine tarsier, classified as an endangered species.