The Elusive Slender Loris: Bangalore’s Nocturnal Treasure in Need of Protection

-

 

When most of us think of Bangalore’s wildlife, we picture kites circling above, snakes crossing garden paths, or monkeys leaping between rooftops. But hiding in the shadows of the city’s trees, moving under the cover of night, is one of our most mysterious and misunderstood creatures: the slender loris.

With its wide, round eyes and delicate limbs, the slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus) looks almost like a creature from folklore. It is, in fact, one of India’s few nocturnal primates — and a native of southern India, including parts of urban and peri-urban Bangalore. Despite its endearing appearance, the slender loris is highly elusive, seldom seen, and sadly, increasingly under threat.

A Secretive Species with a Fragile Future

Slender lorises are solitary, slow-moving, and nocturnal, using their enormous eyes and keen sense of smell to forage for insects, tree sap, small reptiles, and fruit at night. They play a critical ecological role in insect control and pollination, helping maintain forest balance.

But their specialized nature also makes them incredibly sensitive to habitat changes. Urban sprawl, deforestation, and shrinking green spaces in Bangalore have left lorises with fewer safe corridors and isolated tree patches. Road traffic, electric wires, and human curiosity pose constant threats.




Threats: From Habitat Loss to Superstition

Beyond habitat destruction, lorises face direct human threats:

  • Illegal Pet Trade: Their unique look makes them a target for exotic pet markets.

  • Black Magic & Superstition: In some regions, body parts of lorises are wrongly believed to bring luck or healing.

  • Electrocution & Road Accidents: Their slow, careful movement makes them especially vulnerable while crossing roads or climbing on power lines.

PfA’s Rescue Work: 86 Lives and Counting

At PfA Wildlife Hospital, the slender loris is one of the most challenging and delicate patients. So far, PfA has rescued around 86 slender lorises — many of them injured, displaced, or illegally captured. These primates require specialised care because of their stress-prone nature and sensitive physiology.

Each loris rescued is treated for trauma, dehydration, or injuries — and if deemed fit, is rehabilitated and released back into a suitable habitat, away from human pressure. In some cases, PfA also collaborates with forest officials to trace and shut down illegal trade routes or confiscate lorises from captivity.




What Can We Do?

Saving the slender loris is not just a task for conservationists. Here’s how each of us can help:

  • Report sightings or suspected captivity to PfA or the forest department.

  • Support tree cover in your neighborhood. Lorises need a continuous canopy to survive.

  • Raise awareness about their ecological role and legal protection under India’s Wildlife Protection Act.

A Future for Bangalore’s Night Wanderers

The survival of the slender loris is closely tied to the health of our urban green spaces. They remind us that wildlife still exists within our city, quietly coexisting — if we let them. As Bangalore expands, we must ensure our development leaves room for the loris to thrive.

At PfA, each rescued loris tells a story of resilience — and a plea for protection. Let’s not wait for these magical creatures to vanish before we value them.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Smuggling the Stars: Illegal Trade of the Indian Star Tortoise

-
Image
On May 1, PfA Wildlife Rescue & Conservation Centre faced the grim reality of illegal wildlife trade yet again. We responded to a call from a bus conductor and rescued 218 Indian Star tortoises, which were all tightly packed into three small bags. They were all juveniles, ranging between just a week old to 4 to 5 years old. Unfortunately, one of them had already succumbed to the horrendous conditions in which these tortoises were being transported.   The demand for the Indian Star Tortoise in the exotic pet market is fueled largely, but not entirely by the superstitions that surround the animal. Some believe that the star tortoise can fix the “Vaastu” of a house or simply bring good luck to the house it’s kept in. Others, allured by the beautiful patterns of the shell,  simply want to keep them as pets.  You might be wondering “But why shouldn’t they be kept as pets?”. Other than the fact that it’s illegal, there are various reasons why keeping them as pets is harmful...
Read more

Avian Treasures of Bengaluru: A Guide to the Birds of Its Urban Wetlands

-
Image
Bengaluru, known as the "Garden City" of India, is not only famed for its green spaces but also for its thriving urban wetlands. These water bodies, though surrounded by a growing metropolis, provide a haven for an extraordinary variety of birds—both resident and migratory. In recent years, the wetlands of Bengaluru have become important hotspots for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike, showcasing the city's rich biodiversity. The Importance of Bengaluru's Wetlands for Birds Wetlands play a crucial role in sustaining a variety of bird species by offering food, shelter, and breeding grounds. Bengaluru, despite its rapid urbanization, still has several lakes and marshes that act as key habitats for waterfowl, waders, and even raptors. These wetlands serve as both stopovers for migratory species and year-round habitats for local birds. Key Wetland Areas in Bengaluru Some of the most prominent wetland areas in Bengaluru include: Puttenahalli Lake : A lesser-known bi...
Read more

Doing the "Imp"ossible: The Science and Art of Feather Implantation

-
Image
The idiom “to clip someone’s wings'' in the English language refers to metaphorically restricting someone’s freedom. But when it comes to the world of urban wildlife, metaphors can turn quite literal. Hundreds of birds a month suffer from brutal wing injuries. Electric cables, network towers, paper kites tethered to Chinese Manja thread, and collapse due to dehydration are just a few of the myriad dangers they face every day. When a bird has a wing injury and loses feathers in the process, it can take around six to nine whole months for them to grow back naturally. A bird that is biologically capable of flying cannot survive being flightless for too long. Being flightless, you’re an easy target for the likes of cats, snakes and even other birds. Assuming thirst and starvation don’t get you first. It’s essentially a death sentence. But as it turns out, to ensure a bright future for our feathered friends, we had to but look at the past. An ancient practice used in falconry over t...
Read more