Tamil Nadu Government Notifies India's First Kadavur Slender Loris Sanctuary
On October 12, 2022, the Tamil Nadu government notified India's first 'Kadavur Slender Loris Sanctuary' in Karur and Dindigul districts. It is spread over an area of 11,806 hectares. The sanctuary will play a vital role in the conservation of Slender Loris and will further enhance the conservation efforts of Tamil Nadu.
Slender Loris
Slender Loris is found only in India and Sri Lanka, although other species of Loris are found in South Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Jakarta, etc. Some are also found in Africa. But the Slender Loris is thin. It is found only in India and Sri Lanka. It has two species – Red Slender Loris and Gray Slender Loris.
They spend most of their time in the trees and move slowly. That's why they are also called Slow Loris. Slow Loris has a powerful poison in its body that originates from the glands located near its elbows.
They rub this venom on their teeth before killing their prey, then attack the prey. If a slow Loris bites a person with a venomous tooth, then the person can be at least unconscious for some time. That is, he will not die, but for a while, it will also make a strong person unconscious.
Slender Loris is commonly found around tropical rainforests, scrub forests,s, and marshy areas. They usually eat insects, lizards, plants, new stems, and fruits. Their best time to hunt is at night. Earlier they were included with the species of Lemur monkeys.
In India, Slender Loris is called by different names in different languages. In Telugu it is called Devanga Pilli or Aaravi Papa, in Tulu, it is called Kada Naramani and in Marathi, it is called Vanar Manush. In Kerala, it is called Kutti Thevangu, Kattu Papa in Malayalam, The slender Loris usually lives in an area above 470 meters above sea level.
