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Tamil Nadu notifies Slender Loris Sanctuary

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Environment
  • Published
    14th Oct, 2022

Context

In a first in the country, the Tamil Nadu government notified Kaduvur slender loris sanctuary covering 11,806 hectares in Karur and Dindigul districts.

About 

  • The Kadavur slender loris sanctuary is to cover Vedasandur, Dindigul East and Natham taluks in Dindigul district and Kadavur taluk in Karur district.
  • The government notified 'Kadavur slender loris sanctuary' under Section 26 (A)(1)(b) of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

About Slender Loris

  • Slender loris (Loris tardigradus) is a shy, secretive and reclusive species of primate, and has nocturnal habits.
  • They are small nocturnal mammals that are arboreal in nature as they spend most of their life on trees. 
  • They are usually solitary but sometimes found in pairs.
  • It is native to Southern India and Sri Lanka.
  • It is commonly found in the tropical scrubs, deciduous forests and scrubs as well as the dense hedgerow plantations bordering farmlands.

Protection Status 

  • IUCN - Endangered
  • CITES - Appendix II
  • Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 - Schedule I
  • It eats lantana berries, insects, lizards, small birds, tree frogs, tender leaves and buds.
  • It plays a key role in controlling agricultural crop pests in organic farms.
    • The species acts as a biological predator of pests in agricultural crops and benefits farmers.
  • The lifespan of Slender Loris is about 10 to 12 years in its natural habitat.
  • It has a wide range of ecological roles to play in the terrestrial ecosystem.
  • The survival of the species depends on its habitat improvement, conservation efforts and mitigation of threats.

Threats

  • Habitat loss
  • Electrocution of live wires
  • Road accidents
  • Illegal smuggling.

Verifying, please be patient.

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