Conservation Helps Improve Slender Loris Numbers In Tirupati Forests
“The Mysore Slender Loris is an indicator of healthy forest ecosystems. Findings of the survey will greatly help us in framing conservation strategies for its protection in the Seshachalam landscape”: Tirupati Divisional Forest Officer P. Vivek
TIRUPATI: A fresh survey by Andhra Pradesh Forest Department has recorded 419 Mysore Slender Lorises in the Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary, pointing to a steady increase in the number of this rare primate in the Seshachalam landscape.
The survey report, conducted with support from Slender Loris experts, had recently been released in the form of a handbook by Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, who holds the Forest portfolio. Officials describe the findings as one of the most comprehensive studies of the species in recent years.
The Mysore Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus lydekkerianus), a nocturnal primate native to India and Sri Lanka, is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It is categorised as “Near Threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Locally called Devanga Pilli, the animal measures between 6 and 15 inches, lives up to 15 years, and is found in tropical rainforests, scrub forests and semi-deciduous woodlands.
Tirupati Divisional Forest Officer P. Vivek said, “The Mysore Slender Loris is an indicator of healthy forest ecosystems. Findings of the survey will greatly help us in framing conservation strategies for its protection in the Seshachalam landscape,” he underlined.
The Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, which includes Tirumala, is recognised as a biodiversity hotspot. However, Slender Loris continues to face threats from deforestation and developmental activities. Other risks include road kills and illegal capture for the pet trade. The IUCN has listed the Grey Slender Loris as Endangered and the Red Slender Loris as Near Threatened, underscoring the fragile status of these primates.
Environmental activists said the sighting of the animal near the temple town of Tirumala underscores the need to balance development and ecological concerns. “Protecting the habitat of the Slender Loris is not just about saving one species, it is about ensuring the survival of the entire ecosystem,” remarked activist A. Kiran Reddy.
DFO Vivek added that efforts are under way for habitat protection and breeding initiatives in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). He stressed that conserving Seshachalam Hills is a collective responsibility.
Barely a decade ago, the population of Slender Loris in the Seshachalam landscape had been in double digits, sparking fears of extinction. Conservation measures and stricter monitoring have now helped the numbers rise to three digits. Experts fear the progress could stall and reverse, if threats to its habitat are not urgently addressed.