Here are the things that I have noticed to change last year:
Simply Butterflies Conservation Center
Last year, I visited it again with my niece and nephew. It
was around July. That time, they let visitors touch the butterflies.
You can even hold the larvae. They also catch some butterflies and
let them sit on your head or hang on your ear. Which was pretty
interactive and enjoyable especially for kids. I am one of those who were
touching the butterflies.
When I came back
in December, it was not allowed anymore to touch the butterflies and all the
other insects there.
The center has
received some comments that it is not good to let everyone touch the
butterflies as it is one of the reasons that they live shorter than their
already short life span. This is a good development. This really
shows that eco-tourism is one of the main thrusts of the province of Bohol and they
are showing a proof of it. It might have took some time but at least they
deliver.
If you want more
information on Simply Butterflies, click
here.
Tarsier Sanctuary
There is now a Tarsier Sanctuary!!! There maybe is one but the one I am talking about now are those places along the highway where you can see the tarsiers. These places are like owned by families that own tarsiers.
They also let you touch them and shake the tree where they are sleeping. People shake them to see how big their eyes are BUT come on, tarsiers are nocturnal.
So when I was in Bohol in December, the big change was that these tarsier owners decided to establish a Tarsier Sanctuary and create something like a cooperative.
They have dedicated a bigger area for the tarsiers to live freely and left just some tarsiers for the tourists to see. There are trained guides that will tour you around the facility and give you important information about the tarsiers. But before the start of the tour, these guides will give you the DOs and DON'Ts in the sanctuary.
This move was also brought by their observation that tarsiers in captivity die much younger than their average life span. The oldest tarsier they have in the sanctuary is 15 or 16 years old and they can live up to 25.
My Hope
My hope is that they can sustain this good practice which helps nature a great deal... and in return helps them to also sustain their livelihood.
I also hope that there can be changes in the way boat operators practice in dolphin watching.
It is really heart-breaking to see 50 noisy motorized boats go after some dolphins early in the morning. It appeals to me as hunting and not watching. I would always appeal to people I am with to skip this activity... unless there will be changes.
Balicasag is also a sad story. I've heard a lot about Balicasag from my friends before I've even been to Bohol. July of last year, I've got a chance to go there for the first time. What I think is that it is exploited.
The "guides" to the sanctuary are the ones who encourage the visitors to feed the fish. They also let the visitors who can't swim step in everything.
How can then the corals grow? And with the fishes, yes, it is nice to have lots of them around but I still prefer to be swimming after them and not them following me around and waiting for me to feed them.
I am no marine biologists or anybody in authority to tell anyone what is the right or wrong practice BUT these things that they let people do are some things I don't agree with.
I hope that the next time I am back in Bohol, I'll also see that there is something happening on these areas.
They also let you touch them and shake the tree where they are sleeping. People shake them to see how big their eyes are BUT come on, tarsiers are nocturnal.
So when I was in Bohol in December, the big change was that these tarsier owners decided to establish a Tarsier Sanctuary and create something like a cooperative.
They have dedicated a bigger area for the tarsiers to live freely and left just some tarsiers for the tourists to see. There are trained guides that will tour you around the facility and give you important information about the tarsiers. But before the start of the tour, these guides will give you the DOs and DON'Ts in the sanctuary.
This move was also brought by their observation that tarsiers in captivity die much younger than their average life span. The oldest tarsier they have in the sanctuary is 15 or 16 years old and they can live up to 25.
My Hope
My hope is that they can sustain this good practice which helps nature a great deal... and in return helps them to also sustain their livelihood.
I also hope that there can be changes in the way boat operators practice in dolphin watching.
It is really heart-breaking to see 50 noisy motorized boats go after some dolphins early in the morning. It appeals to me as hunting and not watching. I would always appeal to people I am with to skip this activity... unless there will be changes.
 |
| These boats are all after some dolphins. (Click to zoom) |
The "guides" to the sanctuary are the ones who encourage the visitors to feed the fish. They also let the visitors who can't swim step in everything.
How can then the corals grow? And with the fishes, yes, it is nice to have lots of them around but I still prefer to be swimming after them and not them following me around and waiting for me to feed them.
I am no marine biologists or anybody in authority to tell anyone what is the right or wrong practice BUT these things that they let people do are some things I don't agree with.
I hope that the next time I am back in Bohol, I'll also see that there is something happening on these areas.
i cant see the pictures
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