Nearly Extinct Loris Needs New Trees to Survive

The Horton Plains slender loris was believed to possibly be extinct. It was only rediscovered in 2009, and just about 80 remain in the wild. It has lost the majority of its habitat–Montane Evergreen forests–so a reforestation project has been started to help plant new trees. In the highlands of Sri Lanka new trees will be planted between the remaining patches of forest the lorises lives in. Hopefully the new trees will grow and fill in some of the empty fragmented areas so there will be new habitat for the nearly extinct creatures. The project seeks to raise about $8,000 to plant ten acres of new trees in the loris mountain habitat. So far they have raised just about $100. If you want to donate, visit their loris page.

Regrowing parts of the forest habitat will also help a species of leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya), the ‘shaggy bear monkey’ (Trachypithecus vetulus monticola), the endemic Nillu rat (Rattus montanus), and the Sri Lanka spiny mouse.

A loris is only about eight inches long and weighs about eleven ounces. Their forests have been cut down for firewood and agriculture, such as tea farming. Conservation biologist Craig Turner said, “There’s no means for these lorises to move between the [remaining] forest patches. In terms of breeding and finding mates, it is very difficult for them. The real focus now has to be on the remaining forest areas and looking at how we can enhance and protect them, and also reconnect them to one another. ” (Source: National Geographic)

Image Credit: C Mahanayakage

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Vivianne M.

1:28PM PDT on Apr 1, 2012

Plant plant plant...it will not only replace much needed trees...but make jobs too :)

send a green star

Marie W.

8:47PM PST on Jan 31, 2012

More trees.

Renae T.

9:14AM PST on Jan 31, 2012

So sad!

Vicki P.

8:12AM PST on Jan 31, 2012

Everyday I learn something new...thank-you!

Ruth M.

9:47AM PDT on Jul 21, 2011

hopefully they can help regrow some of the forest area to help these little creatures thrive.

Suzanne H.

8:38AM PDT on Jul 6, 2011

I hope they can bring these back from the brink!

Shelly P.

2:43PM PDT on Jul 4, 2011

Thankyou Jake!

Reuben N.

5:26AM PDT on Jul 4, 2011

Oh god just about 80 Loris remain in the wild?

Shin T.

8:59PM PDT on Jul 3, 2011

Thank for the post and we must try our best to safe this pity Loris. Cheers

Chinmayee J.

3:03AM PDT on Jul 3, 2011

I'm so glad there is a project for this - everywhere we turn these days animals are either endangered or near-extinct - and we only have ourselves to blame! I wish this project luck, and will definitely support it financially in the future :)