Seven Slow Loris released to wild
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 18 2013:
People for Animal (PFA), Thoubal released seven Slow Loris to wild at an undisclosed forest area under the instruction of CWW, Manipur and supervision of DFO Thoubal, Kh Shyam in the presence of the media yesterday.
The animals were rescued from different places with the help of various agencies including Manipur Police during the past four months, said a press release.
During their stay for about four months in the transit facility of PFA Thoubal, the animals were treated for their injuries and diseases etc.
However, two Loris sucumbed to major injuries.
Almost all the Loris were brought with complaints like flu to compound and multiple fractures, the press release added.
During rehabilitation, they were given training to search for hidden food, exposure to potential enemy and artificial rain etc to regain their natural wild instinct.
They were provided tree branches and ground covered with fallen leaves which resemble natural forest inside their enclosures.
Their favourite foods like banana, mango, apricot, fig, berries, locusts and snail etc were provided in addition to multi vitamins.
Banana which is one of the major foods of Loris was so costly in Manipur during the early summer when ritual festivals like Lai Haraoba took place.
PFA spent about Rs 20000 on the animals including medical needs and transportations.
Wandering and displacement of Loris from their natural habitat in the last three-four month is not a good sign, the press release added.
Numbers of Loris might have killed and eaten by villagers and domestic animals in the valley of the State.
Villagers in many areas take Slow Loris as Loudraobi, a folkloric character having supernatural power.
They think that they can earn lakhs of rupees if they catch Slow Loris that led to poaching of many Loris in the State.
Bengal Slow Loris is found in wild only in Northeast India, Bangladesh and Indo-China.
Scientifically it is known that Loris is pollinators, seed dispersers and indicator of sound eco-system.
Their unnatural movements and displacements indicate that our nearby eco-systems is deteriorated above the warning level, the press release added.