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INDONESIA:<\/strong> The Bangka slow loris (Nycticebus bancanus<\/em>), a rare primate feared to be possibly extinct, has been confirmed to survive on Indonesia\u2019s Bangka Island. The discovery has raised new hope for wildlife conservation, as the species had remained largely absent from scientific records for decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Researchers reported that more than 90 Bangka slow lorises were recorded through rescue operations between 2015 and 2025. Of these, 86 were returned to suitable forest habitats following care and rehabilitation. The findings are based on records collected by the Alobi Wildlife Rescue Centre in Indonesia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A study published in the scientific journal Spixiana<\/em> provides important evidence that the rare primate continues to survive on Bangka Island. However, researchers caution that further scientific surveys are needed to determine the species\u2019 total population and assess its long-term prospects for survival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bangka slow loris was first scientifically described in 1906. It was officially recognised as a distinct species in 2013. The absence of reliable scientific records after the early 1930s raised concerns that the animal might have disappeared entirely. In 2020, the species was included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List under a category indicating an extremely high risk of extinction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite its absence from scientific records, the animal continued to survive on Bangka Island. Local residents reported sightings of slow lorises in homes, plantations, gardens and along roadsides, prompting wildlife rescuers to intervene. Information gathered through these reports and rescue operations subsequently helped bring the species back into scientific focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bangka slow loris is a nocturnal primate characterised by large, round eyes and reddish-brown fur. It lives primarily in trees and moves slowly along branches. Insects, plant exudates and nectar are among the foods consumed by slow lorises, although further research is needed to understand the specific dietary habits of the Bangka species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most remarkable characteristics of the Bangka slow loris is its venomous bite. The animal has a specialised gland on the inside of its upper arm. Secretions from this gland mix with saliva, allowing the loris to deliver venom through its bite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This unusual defence mechanism helps slow lorises protect themselves against threats. A bite can cause severe pain, swelling and allergic reactions in humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite their seemingly gentle appearance, these animals can be dangerous to handle. Wildlife experts advise people not to touch or capture them and to contact trained wildlife rescuers if an injured or stranded loris is found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The destruction of natural habitats remains one of the most serious threats to the survival of the Bangka slow loris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tin mining and the expansion of oil palm plantations have significantly altered parts of Bangka Island. As forests are cleared, the animals lose the trees and connected habitats they need to find food, move safely and reproduce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other threats include injuries caused by power lines and roads, as well as the illegal wildlife trade. Slow lorises are sometimes captured for sale as exotic pets, further increasing pressure on vulnerable populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although the rescue and release of dozens of animals is encouraging, conservationists warn that these efforts alone cannot guarantee the species’ survival. Long-term monitoring is needed to determine whether released animals survive and establish themselves in the wild.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Researchers also need to assess the population’s size, genetic diversity and distribution across the island. Protecting the remaining forests and limiting habitat destruction caused by mining and land conversion will be essential to the species’ recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rediscovery of the Bangka slow loris highlights the importance of local communities and wildlife rescue organisations in biodiversity conservation. It also demonstrates that the absence of a species from scientific records does not necessarily mean it has become extinct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The return of the Bangka slow loris to scientific attention after nearly a century is an encouraging development for wildlife conservation. However, its long-term survival remains uncertain as habitat destruction and other human pressures continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Protecting the remaining forests, conducting systematic population surveys and strengthening wildlife rescue and monitoring programmes will be critical to securing the future of this rare primate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" More than 90 individuals recorded over a decade; 86 released into forests after rescue and rehabilitation; habitat destruction and tin mining remain major threats INDONESIA: The Bangka slow loris (Nycticebus bancanus), a rare primate feared to be possibly extinct, has been confirmed to survive on Indonesia\u2019s Bangka Island. The discovery has raised new hope for…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9098,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[87],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9097","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wild-life"],"yoast_head":"\nA Rare Mammal with a Venomous Bite<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Deforestation and Mining Pose Major Threats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rediscovery Offers Hope, but Conservation Efforts Must Continue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n