Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) is one of the smallest primates in the world, they are endemic to the Philippines, Primate Info (2016). Although they are one of the smallest primates in the world, they have the largest eye-to-body proportion of all mammals as they are mostly nocturnal so their large eyes provide them with great night vision, Philippines Travel Guide (2016). There are many threats to the Tarsier species, some of which include: being sold of the pet trade, where they have much lower survival rates due to them being so susceptible to stress, it has even been known for Tarsiers to commit suicide by banging their heads against branches which ultimately breaks their thin, fragile skull, Philippine Enquirer (1999). Another threat, is the destruction of their rainforest habitats, which is cleared for crop growing, it thought by IUCN (2008) that the Tarsier’s have lost 30% of their natural habitat. In Bohol, the Philippine tarsier was a common sight in the southern part of the island until the 1960s. Since then, the number has dropped to around 700 on the island according to the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Tarsier Foundation (2016). For this reason, they have a conservation legislation to protect them, for example they are protected under Philippine government law as a national protected wildlife species, the Philippine also mandates the establishment of appropriate sanctuaries to preserve and protect the Philippine tarsier. they are also listed under Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and IUCN (2008) listed them as ‘near threatened’ in 2008. In 2001, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, that provides for the conservation and protection of wildlife resources and their habitats, this included the Philippine tarsier, and its inclusion as a flagship species, Chan Robles (2001).
The radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiate) is a herbivorous tortoise which is native to Madagascar, they reach a length of up to 16 inches and weigh up to 16 kg, National Zoo (2016). The radiated tortoise is thought to be suffering one of the most rapid declines of any species of tortoise globally, British Chelonia Group (2016). As a result of this the IUCN Red List (2008) have classed these tortoises as being critically endangered due to habitat loss, Harper et al. (2007) reports that the southern spiny forests of Madagascar are one of the country’s most threatened ecosystems, with forest loss calculated at 1.2% per year. Another threat facing the radiated tortoises is being over exploited in the pet trade, a portion of the tortoises harvested annually enter the pet trade both internationally and locally, Pedrono (2008). They are also listed on CITES (1975) as Appendix 1 – meaning that commercial trade in wild-caught specimens of the species is illegal because there is a threat that they may become extinct in the wild. Radiated tortoises are classed a Annexe A tortoise, this means that they require an article 10 licence before any commercial trade can take place. There are two types of the article 10 licences, the Transaction Specific Certificate (TSC), and the Specimen Specific Certificate (SSC). These licences are issues by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Tortoise Protection Group (2008). A breeder’s certificate must also be produced in order to keep a radiated tortoise. Also, due to the current status of the radiated tortoise then the species has protection under the endangered species at 1973.
The red-vented cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia) otherwise known as the Philippine Cockatoo due to it being endemic to the Philippines. This small bird with a red and yellow tail, the red-vented cockatoo has suffered a rapid decline in its population with around 370-770 mature individuals left in the wild, meaning that this species qualifies as a critically endangered species, IUCN (2015). Also, CITES (2016) have listed them as appendix 1. The main threats to this bird come from the trapping for the caged bird trade, its persecution as an agricultural pest and the extensive loss to its natural habitat, Birdlife (2016). Mangroves and primary forests are vital habitat for feeding and breeding. These forests are being cleared for cultivation, urban development or mining, Parrots (2016). The red-vented cockatoo is protected by the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act of the Philippines or Republic Act 9147. Any violations of this will lead to severe penalties and several years of imprisonment, Philippine Cockatoo, (2003).
Exotic Animal Conservation 