Slender loris

Context:

• In Karur, a conservation dilemma regarding the slender loris

More about news:

• The Kadavur hills in central Tamil Nadu’s Karur district are home to the Kadavur Reserve Forest.
• These forests are home to the shy and reclusive slender loris, a species of primate.
• There is a conservation dilemma regarding these animals in the area currently.
• The wildlife census conducted during 2016-17 showed an appreciable population of 3,500 slender loris in the Kadavur Reserve Forest.

About the Slender loris (Loris tardigradus):

• It is secretive and has nocturnal habits.
• It usually travels from the canopy of one tree to another. But, at times, it also comes down to bushes at the ground level to feed.
• It sleeps by day in the foliage or in a hole or crevice. It comes out at dusk in search of prey.
• They are fond of lantana berries and also eat insects, lizards, small birds, tree frogs, tender leaves and buds.
• They play a key role in controlling agricultural crop pests.

Survival threats:

• As it is believed that these animals have some medicinal properties, they are captured and sold.
• There is great demand for keeping these animal as pets, they are illegally smuggled.
• Habitat loss, electrocution of live wires and road accidents are other threats that have caused its populations to dwindle.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN Status: Endangered.
• It has been brought under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in order to provide the highest level of legal protection.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/forests/in-karur-a-conservation-dilemma-regarding-the-slender-loris-78489