Description
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
