On Tuesday, September 9th, 2025, the world will come together to observe International Slow Loris Day on September 13th. In anticipation of this event, the West Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) and the Ujung Kulon National Park Authority (BTNUK) have joined forces to release eight endangered Javan slow lorises (Nycticebus javanicus) back into their natural habitat.
This release, in collaboration with Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI), a partner of International Animal Rescue (IAR), serves as a testament to the power of multi-agency cooperation in addressing the illegal wildlife trade and protecting Indonesia’s unique biodiversity. The event also serves as a part of the National Nature Conservation Day (HKAN) 2025 celebrations.
BTNUK Head Ardi Andono stated, “This initiative is the result of equal collaboration between BTNUK and BBKSDA West Java in conserving protected wildlife. Multi-agency cooperation is crucial in ensuring a smooth and effective transition of Javan slow lorises from rehabilitation centers to their natural habitat.”
BBKSDA West Java Head Agus Arianto added, “We hope that all parties will contribute to wildlife conservation, especially for protected species, by refraining from hunting, trading, or illegally keeping them.”
The eight lorises, consisting of five females (Banowati, Ipeh, Anoda, Tao-tao, Trevor) and three males (Bano, Pointer, Agam), were rescued from the illegal pet trade, community surrenders, or accidents such as electrocution. Each underwent intensive rehabilitation at YIARI before being deemed ready for release.
Although released, some of the lorises still bear lasting scars. Ipeh survived an electric shock with minor burns, Agam lost a finger but remains mobile, and Anoda has partial vision loss but is still able to thrive in the wild.
After undergoing comprehensive health and behavioral assessments, all eight lorises displayed natural foraging and climbing behaviors necessary for survival. They were then transported from YIARI’s rehabilitation center in Bogor to specially designed bamboo-and-net habituation enclosures in BTNUK’s intensive protection zone, where they will spend several days adapting before being fully released.
Drh. Nur Purba Priambada, Animal Management Manager at YIARI, explained, “We don’t just release them, we ensure that each individual has the best chance of survival. Habituation gives them time to recover from transport and adapt to their new environment before being released.”
The release sites were carefully selected based on factors such as food availability, low wild loris populations, and distance from human settlements to increase the lorises’ chances of survival.
Silverius Oscar Unggul, Chairperson of YIARI, emphasized, “Release is not the end of conservation, but part of a long journey involving many parties. Collaboration between government agencies, conservation organizations, and the public is crucial.”
This effort highlights a continued commitment to protecting Indonesia’s wildlife and serves as a timely reminder, ahead of International Slow Loris Day, that safeguarding slow lorises requires collective action from government agencies, NGOs, and the public.
To learn more about our work with slow lorises, please visit https://www.internationalanimalrescue.org/animals/slow-loris.
This news story is distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.
