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ZSL London Zoo Horton Plains Slender Loris thought extinct FOUND

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by socialjustice, 19 Jul 2010.

  1. socialjustice

    socialjustice Active Member

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    The Horton Plains slender loris, found only in Sri Lanka, was for more than 60 years believed to be extinct.

    More than 1,000 night surveys were carried out in 120 forested regions by Sri Lankan researchers working in partnership with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).

    The night zone of the Clore Rainforest only has the "Grey Slender Loris" on display which is classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

    Read more here:

    Horton Plains Slender Loris pictured for first time - Telegraph

    Caught on camera: The furry Slender Loris that is so rare scientists thought was extinct | Mail Online

    Found: Sri Lankan primate thought to be extinct for 60 years | Environment | The Guardian
     
  2. Paix

    Paix Well-Known Member

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    What fantastic news! Do we have any idea on population size?
     
  3. socialjustice

    socialjustice Active Member

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    Probably the World's Top 5 most threatened primates.

    To quote from The Guardian Newspaper:

    "Estimates suggest there are just 100 left, putting it among the world's top five most threatened primates. But so little is known about the animal that numbers could be below 60 – which would make it the rarest species."
     
  4. Paix

    Paix Well-Known Member

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    Sorry I missed that, its actually more than I thought there would be but its still not pleasing! Thanks for the info!

    Do you think they will be brought in to captivity or do you think this will be a strictly in situ case?
     
  5. Chlidonias

    Chlidonias Moderator Staff Member 15+ year member

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    it is worth noting that - contrary to the news reports - the Horton Plains slender loris is currently treated as a subspecies (Loris tardigradus nycticeboides) not a full species, although given the current penchant for splitting in today's taxonomic climate who knows what it will turn into when conservation funds are needed :rolleyes:
     
  6. Paix

    Paix Well-Known Member

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    It is still worth conserving though!
     
  7. socialjustice

    socialjustice Active Member

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  8. Chlidonias

    Chlidonias Moderator Staff Member 15+ year member

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    absolutely it is. I wasn't suggesting otherwise. The actual conservation of this subspecies is pretty straightforward in theory - all that needs to be done is protect the remaining montane forest, and if possible return plantations to forest. The only major threat it seems is conversion of the forest to tea plantations, which is a problem in highland areas throughout parts of southern and southeast Asia. Lorises tend to be poached as well, both for pets and for traditional "medicines" (quotation marks intentional), but this can be combated through education of what makes the local animal special (without unintentionally giving it a higher monetary value!)

    That last link by socialjustice is much better than the others also :)
     
  9. Jabiru96

    Jabiru96 Well-Known Member

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    This is great news.....:)