The Bangka slow loris is a small animal with a poisonous bite. Scientists feared it had died out, but a study confirms it still lives on Indonesia’s Bangka Island. Local people already knew it was there. In 2015, an international list described it as very close to dying out, or possibly already gone.
Researchers studied more than 90 slow lorises from the Alobi Wildlife Rescue Centre. Local people called the centre about animals in gardens, beside roads and on farms. Records show that the animals live across the island. But they still face many dangers.
The animal’s forest home became 62% smaller between 2000 and 2012. Illegal digging for tin and clearing land for oil palm farms have destroyed forest. Power lines, cars, dogs and fences also hurt the animals. At least three animals rescued in 2021 died.
Since 2015, the centre has returned 86 animals to protected forest after they got better. Researchers want the international list to stop describing the animal as possibly gone. They also want stronger forest protection and checks on animals after their return. They suggest keeping some animals in human care to help them have young.
