Slender Loris

Environmental activists and concerned citizens have urged the Tamil Nadu government to intensify conservation efforts for the endangered Grey Slender Loris, particularly in the Melur taluk of Madurai district, where the species is found in notable numbers.

About the Grey Slender Loris

The Grey Slender Loris is a small, nocturnal primate belonging to the family Loridae. Known for its distinctive appearance and shy nature, the species has several unique characteristics:

• Habitat: Prefers dense, thorny bushes and bamboo clumps, commonly found in tropical scrub and deciduous forests, as well as hedgerow plantations along farmlands in Southern India and Sri Lanka
• Diet: Primarily insectivorous, but also consumes leaves, flowers, slugs, and occasionally bird eggs
• Physical features:
  • Small, vestigial tail
  • Large, closely set brown eyes adapted for night vision
• Behaviour:
  • Arboreal (tree-dwelling) and spends most of its life on trees
  • Socially active during dusk and dawn (crepuscular interaction patterns)
• Reproduction: Females usually give birth to one infant, rarely two

Conservation Status and Threats” The species is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, reflecting its vulnerable status. However, habitat loss, fragmentation, and human disturbances continue to threaten its survival.

Government Initiatives: In a significant step, the Tamil Nadu government established India’s first dedicated sanctuary for the species in 2021:

• Slender Loris Sanctuary
  • Located along the Karur–Dindigul border
  • Spans 11,806 acres
  • Aims to provide a safe habitat and promote long-term conservation

Source: TH