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.
