Slender Loris-The Hindu-13-10-2022

GS-3
ENVIRONMENT :
CONTEXT: Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday notified the Kaduvur slender loris sanctuary covering 11,806 hectares in Karur and Dindigul districts.

In Background :

Protection Status:
IUCN: Endangered
Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972: Schedule I
CITES: Appendix II
Slender Loris
Slender lorises, which are small nocturnal mammals, are arboreal as they spend most of their life on trees.
Slender loris (Loris tardigrades) 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 is also found in the adjoining forest areas on the eastern, southern and western slopes of the Kadavur hills.
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 are usually solitary but sometimes found in pairs.
Conservation
The slender loris has been listed as ‘Endangered’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
It has been brought under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in order to provide the highest level of legal protection.
Threats
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.