The Slow Loris (Nyticebus) is a small, nocturnal, arboreal primate in the suborder Strepsirrhini (related to the galagoes, pottos, and lemurs). bengalensis), pygmy slow loris (N. pygmaeus), Javan slow loris (N. javanicus), Philippine slow loris (N. menagensis), Bangka slow loris (N. bancanus), Bornean slow loris (N. borneanus), and Kayan River slow loris (N. kayan) are now recognized in the world,
with one species in Bangladesh, namely the Bengal Slow Loris (Nycticebus bengalensis) (local name Lajjabati Banar). They are distributed in Bangladesh, northeastern India, Myanmar, China, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Bengal Slow Lorises are very shy animals that become active only at night. They move very slowly and spend their entire lives on trees. They usually come to the ground only when there are breaks in the canopy and they need to cross between trees. The Bengal Slow Loris has been categorized as globally Vulnerable by IUCN due to their decreasing populations. The main threats include habitat loss, hunting for medicinal purposes and pet trade. In Bangladesh, there is a lack of sufficient data on this species. Thus the current status of this species in Bangladesh remains unknown. "Bangladesh Slow Loris Research & Conservation Project" was initiated to gather comprehensive data on the Bengal Slow Loris to increase our knowledge of the species and help in their conservation. Presently, we have started work in Satchari National Park, Sylhet Division. The objectives of the project are to:
1. Determine density of the Bengal Slow Loris population in Satchari National Park using camera trapping and other methods
2. Estimate total population size of Bengal Slow Loris in Satchari National Park
3. Quantify behavior of Bengal Slow Lorises and
4. Determine Bengal Slow Loris habitat characteristics
After the completion of this baseline study, we intend to expand our work to additional sites that contain the Bengal Slow Loris. The project was conceptualized and initiated by Hassan Al Razi, Department of Zoology, Jagannath University, Dhaka with technical advice from Dr. Sabir Bin Muzaffar,Associate Professor, Department of Biology, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. We are optimistic that our work will help in increasing our understanding of the ecology of the Bengal Slow Loris and aid in its conservation.
