Wildlife poachers and illegal traders’ activities are threatening the existence of the Javan slow loris (Nycticebus Javanicus). Aside from these poachers, it is also threatened by climate change, which has been reducing the food sources of wild animals, including primates.
Jatna Supriatna, a lecturer in biology at the Universitas Indonesia, said that climate change and rising temperatures will impact plants in the wild. For example, changes in the reproductive period of fruit in forest plants. “It used to be the fruiting season, but suddenly it’s not, it might change. Meanwhile, primates have mental mapping, whether this plant is fruiting or not. If it changes, they will look for it, how come there is no fruit? This will be an unclear pattern of forest ecosystems, which will have a big effect,” he said.
These changes force primates to adapt, which is never an easy process. “If they cannot survive, they will become extinct. That’s why climate change is having such an impact on primate populations,” Jatna continues. In a release issued by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Javan slow loris is categorized as Critically Endangered (CR).
It can be said that the presence of Javan slow loris has a major influence on the food chain and natural forest rehabilitation. Therefore, their potential extinction constitutes a significant threat to the whole forest ecosystem.
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry through the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) continues to make efforts to prevent or save the Javan slow loris from the threat of poachers and illegal wildlife trade, which smuggle this shy primate to various regions in Indonesia and even abroad. In addition to its rescue operations, the BKSDA maintains a presence in the forest to deter poachers from targeting wildlife. However, the population of Javan slow loris continues to decline.
The existence of Javan slow loris in the wild, with all their habits, affects the surrounding ecosystem in their habitat. When they eat fruit, the seeds released from their feces will grow into new trees. This is one of their roles in spreading plants in the forest. In addition, they also play a role in controlling pests, especially insects that are common in agriculture. It can be said that the presence of Javan slow loris has a major influence on the food chain and natural forest rehabilitation. Therefore, their potential extinction constitutes a significant threat to the whole forest ecosystem.
In its activities to help saving the Javan slow loris, International Animal Rescue Indonesia (IARI) has found many cases of trade in animal markets and through online trading. “The destruction of its natural habitat has caused the Javan slow loris to descend into rice fields and plantations. In these regions, they are subsequently apprehended by residents or hunters”, according to veterinarian Nur Purba Prambada. “This is also why, over the last 24 years, the Javanese sloth population is estimated to have declined by eighty percent,” continued Purba, who is actively involved with IARI.
“I was saddened when I found one slow loris with physical disabilities due to poachers’ snares. Some even had their fangs removed. These conditions can make it difficult for them to survive in the forest”
IARI has made various efforts to protect the Javan slow loris from extinction. One of such initiatives is through monitoring and rehabilitation activities in the Ciapus area, Bogor Regency, West Java. “I was saddened when I found one slow loris with physical disabilities due to poachers’ snares. Some even had their fangs removed. These conditions can make it difficult for them to survive in the forest,” said Hendi (35), one of the animal keepers at IARI. Hendi has been with IARI for twelve years. During that time, he has been in and out of the forest monitoring and releasing the lorises in the Ciapus area.
At IARI’s rehabilitation center, Javan slow loris receive care and mental and physical recovery from animal keepers. “The physical, health, and mental condition of the loris determines whether they can survive and reproduce after being released back into the forest,” Hendi continued.
Not only physical and mental rehabilitation, the location of the release must also be carefully monitored. Food availability is a priority in the location where they will be released. Like other primates, loris are fond of fruits and young leaves. They also eat insects, bird eggs, tree lizards, sago caterpillars, and tree geckos to fulfill their protein requirements. In addition to a sufficient food source, the safety and sustainability of their life also determine which location is chosen to release the sloths.
Not only physical and mental rehabilitation, the location of the release must also be carefully monitored. Food availability is a priority in the location where they will be released.
In essence, wildlife can adapt to find a safe and ideal location. If native animals inhabit the area, new animals tend to look elsewhere to avoid potential territorial conflicts. However, land for Javan slow loris habitat has been reduced as forests have been converted into farmland. This becomes another important consideration for the release. “Not all areas are suitable for sloth release,” said Riki Saputra, IARI’s Survey Release Monitoring Coordinator. During the initial period of 2024, 15 Javan slow loris were released by IARI in two different locations: Salak Halimun Mountain National Park, Sukabumi (January), and Papandayan Mountain, Garut (May 2024).
