IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

Slender loris

18th August, 2021 ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

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