Slender Loris | 17 Aug 2021

Why in News

Recently, some environmentalists demanded that Tamil Nadu’s Kadavur Reserve Forest be declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary in order to conserve Slender Loris (Loris tardigradus).

  • The wildlife census conducted during 2016-17 showed an appreciable population of 3,500 slender loris in the Karur Reserve Forest.

Key Points

  • About:
    • The slender lorises (Loris) are a genus of loris native to India and Sri Lanka.
    • Slender lorises spend most of their life in trees, traveling along the tops of branches with slow and precise movements.
    • They generally feed on insects, reptiles, plant shoots, and fruit.
  • Habitat:
    • They are found in tropical rainforests, scrub forests, semi-deciduous forests, and swamps.
  • Types:
    • There are two species of Slender Loris, the only members of the genus ‘Loris’:
      • Red Slender Loris (Loris tardigradus)
      • Grey Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus)
  • Threat:
    • It is believed that they have medicinal properties and they are captured and sold. Since there is great demand for keeping these animals 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.
  • Protection Status:

Kadavur Reserve Forest

  • About:
    • The forest is located in Karur district of Tamil Nadu with a forest area of around 6000-hectare. The forest consists of hills and dense dry areas.
    • Indian Bison, Spotted Deer, mouse deer, slender loris, Jackal, Mongoose, black naped hare, wild boar, porcupine, monitor lizard, Pangolin, Monkeys, pythons, etc are found in the forests.
  • Major Protected Areas in Tamil Nadu:

Source: DTE