Horton Plains Slender Loris Photographed For the First Time

by Amy Judd | July 19, 2010 at 03:33 pm

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One of the World's Most Reclusive Primates, the Horton Plains slender loris, Has Been Photographed For the First Time

This photo is the only evidence available that the Horton Plains slender loris is not completely extinct; it has only been seen four times since 1937 and was not sighted for 63 years from 1939 to 2002. This little primate was captured on film in Sri Lanka and is part of the decline of the slender loris species, which have been battling deforestation.

The Horton Plains slender loris is on the brink of extinction, but it is hoped that now this one has been captured on film, it can help zoologists study them further and raise awareness about their plight. This one was found during an 18-month study by the Zoological Society of London's Edge project, which raises awareness about animals on the brink of extinction.

Simon Gamage, who led the study, said that over 1,000 nocturnal studies had been undertaken in about 120 area.

"This discovery is a great reward for the ongoing field research we undertake across much of south-western Sri Lanka," Gamage said.

This photo, which shows a slender loris male's skinny arms and legs and huge eyes, but experts say it could have shorter and sturdier limbs than other species of slender loris, which means it could be a distinct species.

Dr. Craig Turner said:

"The discovery improves our knowledge of this species, but we need to focus our efforts on the conservation and restoration of the remaining montane forest where this species still exists. Currently this accounts for less than one percent of the land area of Sri Lanka."