Slow Loris rescued
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 10 2013:
Even as a Bengal Slow Loris was rescued from Litan area by an Associate Professor of CAU yesterday, another Bengal Slow Loris was rescued from local medicine man in Chura-chandpur by two animal lovers of Thoubal which subsequently reached the safe hand of PFA Thoubal.
Dr Th Ranadhir Singh, an Associate Professor of Dept of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, CAU Imphal rescued a slow loris from Litan area in Ukhrul district yesterday.
The animal was handed over to authority of Manipur Zoological Garden, Iroisemba, a statement of the Zoo authority informed.
Meanwhile, another Bengal Slow Loris was rescued from local medicine man in Churachandpur by two animal lovers of Thoubal.
According to a statement issued by the PFA Thoubal, Yumnam Arun Singh, a serving soldier of 37 AR and Thangjam Dipak Singh of Langmeidong Maning Awang Leikai went to Ccpur on April 2 to meet a friend.
The two came across a Bengal Slow Loris which was under the possession of a man who claimed to be medicine man.
When the two approached the man for purchasing the loris, the man refused them saying the loris had some medicinal powers, said the PFA statement.
Not convinced that the loris had medicinal power, the two friends insisted the man to sell the animal to them.
Finally, the local man gave the animal for Rs 4,800 .
The two friends brought the animal and reared it for about 3/4 days before handing it over to Kakching PS.
They said a local medicine man had approached them while the animal was still in their custody and expressed his readiness to offer Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 for the loris.
However, the two friends were more concern over the safety of the loris and subsequently handed it to Kakching PS .
The same animal was handed over to PFA Thoubal on April 8.The loris, which gets septic injury at its neck, is now under intensive care of PFA Thoubal.
The PFA is presently nursing two Bengal Slow Loris which are to be released at Yaingoupokpi Wildlife Sanctuary.
Meanwhile, the PFA statement urged all concerned to stop hunting, poaching and dispel superstitious beliefs.
Slow Loris is declared as endangered animal under Schedule-1 of WLP Act, 1972.The animal is reported to be common in the hills and plains of the State though its population dwindled due to habitat destruction and hunting for its parts.