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Wild female
Bengal slow loris (N. Begnalensis) at
Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary, Cambodia
Photo
credit: Lara Rogers
I have always had a passion for wildlife and
conservation, with an emphasis on primates.
While a student at University, I was amazed
to learn about the family lorisidae
comprising of lorises and pottos. Neither
monkeys nor apes, the lorisidae fall under
the strepsirhini primates which also includes
lemurs, galagos, and the aye-aye. In this
blog, I would like to discuss the slow
lorises, their current threats, and what you
can do to help these large eyed, furry primates.
Slow lorises are nocturnal cryptic prosimians
found throughout Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka
and India. This genus is comprised of
several sub-species: Javan slow loris (N.
javanicus), Sunda loris (N. coucang),
Bornean slow loris (N. menagensis),
Bengal slow loris (N. bengalensis),
and pygmy slow loris (N. pygmaeus).
Slow lorises are all listed on CITES Appendix
I, prohibiting their trade for commercial
purposes. The IUCN lists the slow loris as
Vulnerable, with the exception of the Javan
slow loris (Nycticebus javanicus)
which is listed as Endangered.
These small arboreal animals are currently
under threat due to habitat loss and trade.
In Indonesia, the name for the slow loris is
"malu malu" which translates as "shy one".
Slow lorises can be found openly for sale in
wildlife markets throughout Southeast Asia.
They are popular in the pet trade
due to their relatively low maintenance,
small size and quiet nature. In addition to
presence in the pet trade, slow lorises are
used to produce traditional medicines.
They are hunted for their large eyes, which
are prized for traditional medicines, and
leaves them on the endangered species list. One common use for
slow loris parts is to be
distilled in rice wine to produce a medicine
used to alleviate pain from child birth.
Slow lorises have brachial organs located on
the inner arms that are used in
self-defense. When these glands are licked
and mix with saliva it creates a poison that
can induce anaphylaxis if bitten. Animals
captured for trade are subjected to severe
pain from removing the canine teeth with
pliers or nail clippers to prevent risk of
bites to pet owners.
Due to the high demand for these special
primates for the pet and medicine trades it
is a concern that wild populations cannot
keep up with pet trade harvest levels. It is
paramount that we act now to help conserve
these small primates before it's too late.
Take action:
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Talk about lorises with your family and
friends. (I bet you many of them don't know
what they are, or that they are even
primates.)
-
Support NGOs and sanctuaries, like NEPS,
who are helping to rescue, conserve and save
primates.
For more information about the slow loris,
check out this article, featuring NEPS
blogger, primatologist Danica Stark, in
Mongabay.com on July 17, 2011:
Animal Picture of the Day: Radio Collaring a
Slow Loris
To view video of the slow loris, and to
learn more about its poisonous defenses,
take a look at this Animal Planet
Weird, True and Freaky video.
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