The Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), located in Coimbatore, recently conducted an intriguing survey on the population of the Grey Slender Loris in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul forest division. This nocturnal primate, known for its slow movement and fondness for berries, grabbed headlines due to the significant findings from this survey.
Introducing the Grey Slender Loris
Belonging to the Loridae family, the grey slender loris is an interesting species of primate, marked by its lean and lanky appearance. With long, slender limbs, large ears, a pointed snout, and eyes circled with black or dark brown, this creature boasts a soft, woolly fur that varies from dark grey to earthy brown. The loris usually descends into the bushes to feed and crosses open stretches of ground to migrate from one tree to another.
Habitat and Location of Grey Slender Loris
These animals typically inhabit tropical rainforests, scrub forests, semi-deciduous forests, swamps, and especially dry, drought-prone areas. Predominantly, the Grey slender loris is found in the acacia and tamarind-dominated thorn and scrub forests near cultivated fields of the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. However, their presence is also noted in other regions of southern and eastern India, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and overseas in Sri Lanka.
Types of Slender Loris
There are two identified species of Slender Loris. They are the only members of the genus ‘Loris’: the Red Slender Loris (Loris tardigradus) and the Grey Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus).
Threats to Slender Loris Population
The loris species faces significant threat primarily due to habitat loss. The disappearance of the acacia tree, a key preference of the loris, along with hunting for the pet trade, meat, road killings, superstitious killings, traditional medicine, and habitat fragmentation pose grave dangers to this primate species.
Protection Status of the Slender Loris
Currently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the loris as ‘Near Threatened.’ In addition, they are included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). In India, these animals are under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
About Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)
Established in 1990 at Anaikatti, Coimbatore, SACON serves as a national center for information, education, and research in ornithology and natural history in India. This institution was named after Dr. Salim Ali to honor his lifelong contributions to India’s bird life and conservation of natural resources. SACON is responsible for designing and conducting research covering all aspects of biodiversity and natural history.
Sources: Down to Earth.
