Envrionment Secretary Ramon Paje has reminded the public that taking wild animals from their natural habitat to keep as pets will likely kill them.
“We have very interesting wildlife species, such as the tarsier. Most of the time, we are tempted to buy them and take them as pets. But these are very different from domesticated animals like dogs and cats. They are very sensitive and highly vulnerable to stress and diseases,” he said.
Paje issued the statement after a tarsier found at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati died before it could be brought back to Bohol.
Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau director Mundita Lim said the tarsier, a male, died of pneumonia and cardiac arrest.
Aside from the low chances of survival for wild animals when kept as pets, collecting them is also a bad idea because without a permit from the government, it is a crime. Illegal possession of wildlife is punishable with imprisonment of up to four years and fines of up to P300,000, Paje said.
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Photo: A tarsier in Bohol/Coconuts Manila
