3/25/2023 0 Comments Slender lorisSignificantly fewer sightings occurred within protected areas than were made outside of them. Density estimates, based on sightings of animals/km, were: L. Approximately 766 km were covered in 17 areas where no lorises were found 192 km were walked or motored in 14 sites yielding 185 sightings of Loris: L. Thirty-one sites across five ecological zones were surveyed. The dead insects are eaten by Loris, thereby indirectly consuming the chemicals.In 20, surveys of slender lorises were carried out in Sri Lanka, providing the first recent information on four taxa ( Loris lydekkerianus nordicus, L. “We suspect that the usage of pesticides has also contributed to the fall in the number of Loris in Ayyalur, which is surrounded by farmlands. They are also a natural pest control, as they extensively prey on grasshoppers, scorpions and other farm pests. A Loris is omnivorous and feeds on a range of insects, rodents, tender shoots of Acacia trees and sometimes on the young ones of birds, says Ramasubbu. The mammal gives birth to two young ones every breeding season in the end of summer. We conduct skill training sessions and give awareness talks to sensitise people.”Īn adult Loris measures from 35 cm to 45 cm in length and weighs around 300 grams. “If the villagers are dissuaded from hunting and offered other jobs, the Loris population can be enhanced. During the day, they are easily hunted when their eyesight is poor and they rest on trees.” Since the last couple of years, SEEDS Trust has been working on introducing alternative livelihood for the villagers surrounding Ayyalur. “Since Lorises are nocturnal, they move in groups of four or five at night. People also attribute fake medicinal values and superstitious beliefs to the poor animal, for which they are poached,” says Muthusamy. “Rampant hunting for meat is a major reason for the decline in population. So far, the study has covered eight hillocks along 15 villages. Abound with a dozen stunted hillocks Ayyalur and Kadavur Reserve Forests are part of the Eastern Ghats. They live under crevices of rocks and holes on tree trunks and are usually found on short trees not taller than 300 metres,” says Ramasubbu, pointing out that the rocky, thorny shrub forest of Ayyalur is a perfect habitat. “Loris is a peculiar animal belonging to the monkey family. But our recent study reveals that only two adults are found on an average in one square kilometre of area,” says P. The earlier surveys put the number at four per square kilometre. “Ayyalur is believed to have the highest density of Loris, in the State. Roping in students from Biology, Botany and Microbiology departments, the professor along with Social Education and Environmental Development Scheme (SEEDS) Trust, an NGO based in Dindigul, have found that the population of the Loris has come down by at least 50 per cent. The species of Grey Slender Loris should be listed as endangered.” “The aim of our study is to generate as many records regarding the dwindling population, the shrinking habitat and the threat from hunters and poachers, the animal is facing. “However, the Loris has been listed among the least concerned category of animals and that’s due to lack of sufficient reports to indicate that they are actually under threat,” says Ramasubbu. The patch of deciduous shrub forest in Ayyalur, situated on the Dindigul-Tiruchi-Karur border has been identified as an international hotspot for the Grey Slender Loris by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Endemic to the Eastern Ghats they are distributed in select pockets across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Lorises are unique tiny creatures that live on trees. Though it was unnerving, it was also a relief to know that the Lorises are still alive.” In the recent times, the Grey Slender Lorises have become a rarity and are on the verge of extinction, warn researchers. “Each time we lit our torches, we found pairs of glowing eyes blinking at us in the dark. Thevangu in Tamil, as part of a study on the population and distribution of the arboreal mammal. Since the past few months, he along with his students has been venturing into the Ayyalur Reserve Forest in Dindigul District in search of the elusive Grey Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus), commonly called Ramasubbu, Assistant Professor of Biology, Gandhigram Rural University. “We were a small group of six members walking into the forest in the dead of the night,” recalls Dr.
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