Two slow lorises have been released into the wild by our team in Indonesia. Both are Javan slow lorises, one male and the other female and they were originally confiscated by the Nature Conservation Agency (BKSDA) in West Java. The lorises have completed their rehabilitation process at our Primate Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Ciapus, Java.
All lorises at our centre must first undergo a medical examination, a quarantine period and then finally rehabilitation before they can be selected for release. Operations Manager Aris Hidayat explains that during the rehabilitation process the lorises are fed various types of forest fruits and placed in large enclosures resembling their natural habitats. ”The results from the medical and wildlife observation team state that the lorises have improved health conditions, carry no diseases, and are showing wild behaviour. As a result they passed the selection to be released back to the wild.”
“After the selection process, if the loris is deemed suitable they are then translocated to the wild for a period of habituation “said Aris. “In the habituation cage, the lorises are monitored by the team so that it can determined if they develop suitable behaviours for the wild. If the conditions are good and wild behavior is observed then it they are released into the loris habitats of Mount Sawal, “said Robithotul Huda, a member of the release monitoring team.
The area where the two slow lorises will begin their journey is part of the conservation area KSDA Division III, Ciamis region, and is considered suitable for the relocation of Javan slow lorises. ”Previously the team had conducted a suitability survey of Mount Sawal and encountered wild lorises, availability of food and habitat for the slow loris’ security” added Robithotul.
The translocation of slow lorises into the sanctuary of Mount Sawal is a collaborative effort with BKSDA, West Java, with the aim to release and maintain the current population of Java slow lorises as a species. ”The release of slow lorises is expected to give a positive impact on the area’s wildlife and ecosystems” said Robithotul.
Javan slow lorises are listed as Critically Endangered so the release of these individuals is a vital contribution to the conservation of the species.
Our monitoring team will continue to keep a close eye on these two lorises and ensure they have the best chance for a life in their natural habitat.