Kadavur Reserve Forest and Slender Loris

Kadavur Reserve Forest and Slender Loris

Part of: Prelims and GS – II – Issues related to minorities

In news There is a demand to declare Kadavur Reserve Forest  in Karur district of Tamil Nadu as a sanctuary for Slender Loris.

• The entire forest in the taluk has been classified as a reserve forest and considered a hotspot in the State for Slender Loris. 
• According to a census taken in 2016-17 by the Forest Department, the Reserve Forest has a population of 3,500 Slender Loris and the current population is estimated to be around 5,000.

About Slender Loris (Loris tardigradus)-

• The Slender Loris is a small, secretive nocturnal primate. 
• These animals are about 25 cm long and have long, thin arms. Their most prominent feature is the pair of two large, closely set, brown eyes. 
• It is commonly found in the tropical scrub and deciduous forests as well as the dense hedgerow plantations bordering farmlands of Southern India and Sri Lanka.
• Being arboreal, they spend most of their life on the trees.

• They live between 12-15 years.
• The two species of slender loris are: The red slender loris (Loris tardigradus) and the gray slender loris (L. lydekkerianus)
• They are fond of lantana berries and also eat insects, lizards, small birds, tree frogs, tender leaves and buds.

• They have the habit of urine washing of their face and limbs, which is thought to soothe or defend against the sting of the toxic insects they prefer to eat.

• IUCN status- Endangered and has been brought under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

• Threats: 

• • As it is believed that these animals have some medicinal properties, 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.

News source: DTE