Slender loris UPSC | Why In The News ?
In Karur, a conservation dilemma regarding the slender loris | Source : Down to Earth
Slender loris UPSC | Species In news
Key Points About News | - The Kadavur hills in central Tamil Nadu’s Karur district are home to the Kadavur Reserve Forest.
- These forests are home to the shy and reclusive slender loris, a species of primate.
- There is a conservation dilemma regarding these animals in the area currently.
- The wildlife census conducted during 2016-17 showed an appreciable population of 3,500 slender loris in the Kadavur Reserve Forest.
|
About the Slender loris (Loris tardigradus): | - It is secretive and has nocturnal habits.
- It usually travels from the canopy of one tree to another. But, at times, it also comes down to bushes at the ground level to feed.
- It sleeps by day in the foliage or in a hole or crevice. It comes out at dusk in search of prey.
- They are fond of lantana berries and also eat insects, lizards, small birds, tree frogs, tender leaves and buds.
- They play a key role in controlling agricultural crop pests.
|
Survival threats: | - As it is believed that these animals have some medicinal properties, they are captured and sold.
- There is great demand for keeping these animal 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.
|
Conservation Status: | - IUCN Status: Endangered.
- It has been brought under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in order to provide the highest level of legal protection.
|
Read Also : Species In News For UPSC Pdf 2021 | Most Important Species