Injured endangered slow loris rescued in Comilla to be relocated to safari park
Photo Collected
Forest department officials in Comilla have rescued an endangered slow loris that wandered into a residential area in the border village of Baidderkhil on Tuesday night. The small primate, which showed visible signs of injury, was discovered at a local home before being transferred to the custody of the Upazila administration and subsequently into the care of wildlife authorities.
The incident occurred at the residence of Abdul Momin in ward number seven of Chauddagram municipality. Residents initially alarmed by the unfamiliar animal managed to capture it safely before alerting authorities the following morning. Local officials, including the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shahadat Hossain, oversaw the handover to the livestock and forest departments to ensure the animal received immediate professional attention.
Upazila Livestock Officer Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed the identity of the animal as a slow loris, a species known for its slow movement and gentle nature. He noted that the injuries sustained by the creature are currently being treated. According to Mamun, the encroachment of non-native timber plantations, such as teak, has significantly degraded the loris’s natural habitat, depriving the animals of essential food sources like tree sap. This environmental pressure frequently forces the nocturnal primates to venture into human settlements in search of food.
Environmental experts emphasize that the slow loris plays a vital role in forest ecosystems by facilitating pollination, dispersing seeds, and controlling insect populations. Because the species is protected under Bangladesh’s Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, authorities are prioritizing its recovery.
Forest officer Md. Shahin Alam stated that the animal remains under close observation while it recovers from its wounds. Once the loris is deemed fully healthy, the forest department plans to release it into the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Gazipur, where it will be provided with a more suitable and secure environment.
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