Tuesday, 17 November 2015

Smallest Primate


The Bohol (Philippines) excursion was delayed by ‘logistics at the pier’. When the tender tried to land people, there was no proper jetty – just a high concrete pier. Steps had to be constructed and even then there was nothing to hold on to and the steps were very deep. So each person took at least twice as long as usual to get ashore.
Eventually TSH and Diva arrived at the Tarsier sanctuary. This is the world’s smallest primate – very difficult to spot but fortunately the trek leaders knew where they were and pointed a few out. They are nocturnal, so no activity to be seen.
The other stops were to observe palm leaves woven into roofing material, manufacture of machetes and a Spanish built church which was in a very poor state of repair. This was partly long-term neglect and partly due to an earthquake which occurred a few years ago.
The buildings and infrastructure are in a generally bad state but it is not clear how much is due to the quake. This is not a prosperous island.

No comments:

Post a Comment