Slow loris rescued from Kwarok hillock
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 10 2013 : A male slow loris was yesterday rescued from the same place at Kwarok hillock where a female loris was found straying recently.

The two slow loris are probably the partners, said a press release of the People's for Animal, Thoubal.

The loris bore injury marks on its head and face.

The animal was saved by one Y Lukhoi of Nongpok Sekmai.

He found the loris being chased by some firewood collectors in the woods of Kwarok hillock.

A team of PFA members after being informed by PS of Nongpok Sekmai moved to the spot and rescued the loris.

The loris was taken to Veterinary Hospital Imphal.

Luckily X-ray scan of the skull showed no internal injury.

Treatment for external injuries is being given by PFA members at the shelter of the trust, said the press release.

The duo showed care and intimacy to one another just the moment they met at the enclosure.

After treatment both the animals would be released at a suitable natural site.

Another team of PFA Thoubal went to meet the villagers of Kwarok Maring who are the inhabitants of the hillock.

The press release said that human habitat at Kwarok (Maring) was dated back to 1922.Having population now of about 300, this tribal village started following Christianity from 1977 .

After these changes the rate of poaching, hunting and eating meat of wild animals by the villagers decreased.

From time immemorial, the Kwarok hillock is also said to be blessed with the sacred site of deities like Nongpok Ningthou, Nunggai Ningthou and Mahadev.

Maring tribes also have one deity of their own which is known as Thimbung Lai.

The people believe that the wild animals and birds of the hillock are sacred and hunting or killing them is a sin.

Existence of slow loris in a habitat is a scientific indication of sound eco system of the habitat, added the press release.

In spite of 90 years of human habitat, the Kwarok Maring's effort to protect wildlife in the small hillock is paying off.

But, this year some sides of the hillock covered with woods were sold out for a year to neighbouring villagers to meet the financial shortages for completing a construction of a church at the village.

Ph Angdoun Maring, Village secretary, Kwarok Maring told PFA with regret that the deal was only for firewoods not for wild animal and birds.

"We are not surprise to know that our forest have Slow Loris.

We are living with them for years.

We are planting lots of tree sapling to cover the lost", he said.

Th Moran (70) church founder told PFA that now they will not plant tree which provide wood for fire and carpentry and opt fruit bearing trees and pants.

PFA sensitized the scientific benefit of forest and wildlife to the villagers.

Th Kothil vice chairman, Kwarok Maring told PFA that they will never sell the woods again.

Hunting and poaching would be strictly prohibited from today.

Appeal to all to stop any type of poaching at the village.

PFA assuerd the villagers that the organisation shall provide legal support, information resources to help them save their wildlife.

Possible departmental help would be sought by PFA for them, said the press release.

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