A rare slender loris entered Ukkadam in Coimbatore, rescued safely with the help of a local wildlife protection team. It was safely handed over to the forest department.
Coimbatore: A rare sighting occurred in Ukkadam, Coimbatore, when a Slender Loris ventured into urban areas causing quite a stir among the local community. The creature was safely rescued by Sneha Ameen from the Green Protection Organization following a tip-off. After carefully securing the slender loris, Ameen alerted the Madukkarai Forest Department who took over the responsibility of the animal's wellbeing.
The Slender Loris, a small nocturnal mammal predominantly found in dense, heavily wooded areas, is identified by a distinctive ring pattern around its eyes. These creatures typically reside in forested regions adjoining the Western Ghats such as Palakkad and Madukkarai. The unexpected visit into urban areas is attributed to severe dry conditions in their natural habitats, leading them to search for food and water in human settlements. Ameen's swift response ensured the animal's safety, emphasizing the necessity of keeping calm when encountering such wildlife and promptly informing the authorities or wildlife enthusiasts.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the slender loris is categorized as Near Threatened, indicating it is at risk due to declining population numbers. It is protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act – 1972, which lists species that are in danger of extinction.
The Green Protection Organization highlighted the importance of public awareness and cooperation in handling unexpected wildlife encounters in urban spaces, urging people not to panic and to report such incidents to the forest department or wildlife conservationists promptly.