Tamil Nadu notifies Slender Loris Sanctuary

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.

• 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.