Lanao del Sur’s first-ever documented juvenile male Philippine tarsier was rescued and successfully released back into the wild this week.

Local officials turned over the animal to the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (Menre)-Lanao del Sur after residents discovered it on May 14 while conducting maintenance activities in a partially disturbed forest area in Barangay Diragun, Marogong, within the Piyapayungan Mountain Range.

A joint assessment was then conducted by Menre Ecosystem Specialists Chief Forester Ameer Hussein Abbas Jr. and Chief Hindawi Abdulwahab, who confirmed the animal as a juvenile male Mindanao tarsier.

Officials said the tarsier remained alert and responsive throughout the examination, exhibiting normal climbing and jumping behavior.

Following recommendations from Community Environment and Natural Resources /Officer Ashawie Pangandaman, the tarsier was released into its natural habitat on Monday, May 18, in the forested area of Palaw a Piyamanggoan within the Piyapayungan Mountain Range.

Menre said the discovery highlights the need to establish a wildlife rescue center in the province and formally declare the mountain range as a protected natural landscape or local conservation area.

“This is not merely an isolated wildlife incident but a strong message from nature itself, reminding leaders and policymakers that environmental protection and biodiversity conservation continue to receive insufficient attention despite the worsening effects of habitat destruction and climate change,” said Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Asmarie Labao.

Menre also cited previous wildlife rescue efforts in the province, including the rescue of a Philippine eagle locally known as “Bangsa Bae” in Marogong, which conservation advocates believe should further strengthen public awareness on biodiversity protection in Lanao del Sur .

Labao added that the rescued animal may eventually gain local recognition as the “Ranaw Tarsier” of the Bangsamoro region, although it is considered part of the Mindanao population of the Philippine tarsier pending further scientific studies. Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources-BARMM