Mongabay · Climate & nature

New Study Suggests Larger Chinese Population of Endangered Slow Lorises

A recent study has documented a significant population of northern pygmy slow lorises in China's Guangxi region, potentially doubling the country's known numbers of this endangered species.

Researchers found 98 northern pygmy slow lorises in Guangxi, China, expanding the known range of this endangered primate. A substantial population may have gone undetected in the area's karst forests.

The northern pygmy slow loris, recognized as a distinct species in 2023, is characterized by its plump, fuzzy appearance. It is native to Southeast Asia.

The species faces threats from habitat loss and hunting for the wildlife trade and traditional medicine. Many of the documented lorises were found outside protected areas.

Experts suggest the species' elusive nature and difficulty surveying nocturnal animals explain why they may have been overlooked. Researchers surveyed six areas in Guangxi, detecting lorises in four.

Lorises are the world's only venomous primates. They are often defanged and have their toothcombs removed by traders before being sold as pets.

Traditional medicine is another major driver of the loris trade, with animals processed for various uses.

This discovery coincides with efforts to increase attention toward Asian nocturnal primates and inspire further study.

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