India's Primate Species Are in Danger

Scientists from the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) in Coimbatore recently carried out a survey of Slender loris population in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul forest division.

The species (Case in Point)

• The gray slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus) belongs to the family Loridae.
• It is a species of
• Appearance: The slender loris has got a lean and lanky appearance, with longer and slender limbs, larger ears, pointed snout and eyes circled with black or dark brown. The fur is soft and woolly. The colour varies from dark grey to earthy brown.
• Habitat: Slender Loris generally inhabits dry and drought-prone areas of Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. It is found in acacia and tamarind-dominated thorn and scrub forests near cultivated fields.
  • Of the six species of Lorisinae, the Loris lydekkerianusis found in and around the Ayyalur, Alagarkovil, Manapparai, Sirumalai and Kadavur areas in Tamil Nadu.
• The slender loris is a nocturnal animal. It is also a slow-moving animal.
• Though it is insectivorous, it is fond of lantana berries also. It eats insects, dragonflies, lizards, eggs, small birds and tree frogs.
• Conservation status:
  • It is considered endangered according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.
  • It is listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
• Threats:
  • The loris has become threatened mainly because of habitat loss.
  • The disappearance of the acacia tree, a preferred tree species of the loris, hunting for the pet trade and for their meat, road kills, superstitious kills, traditional medicine and habitat fragmentation pose serious threats to this primate.

Why the species is in danger?

• Deforestation: Extensive deforestation and habitat fragmentation continue at alarming rates throughout the world, and the survival of innumerable forest species, mainly in the tropics, is in jeopardy.
• Habitat loss: Habitat loss is the principal threat to wild primate populations.
• Urbanization: With staggering rate of urbanization, not only their habitat is being lost or fragmented, but many of the primates’ populations find themselves in anthropogenic habitat, more now than ever before. 
• Human-animal conflict: Primates may also be killed when they raid and damage crops; this is especially true for the rhesus macaque in most of Northeast India. 
• Hunting: Hunting is a threat even more severe than forest destruction in some of the more remote areas.
  • Although hunting is prohibited by the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 (amended in 1993), its enforcement is often very difficult in remote areas and even local communities are unaware of the regulations.
• Others
  • Burning and clearing of tropical forests
  • Hunting of primates for food
  • Illegal wildlife trade
  • climate change
  • increasing disease

What measures are required?

• Habitat protection: Since, forest loss is the principal threat to primates, habitat protection should be given habitat conservation priority
• Awareness: Efforts should be made to raise awareness among communities living in these fringe areas.
• Conservative actions: There are many different possible conservation actions for primates, like anti-poaching patrols, relocating animals, publicising conservation issues and reintroducing primates into their habitats. 

Conclusion

It is obvious that many primates are endangered by human actions and that great effort needs to be placed in conserving the forests they inhabit. Furthermore, this knowledge of the threats offers great opportunities for scientists to make significant contributions to primate conservation.