Bangka slow loris rediscovered on Indonesian island

The Bangka slow loris, a rare venomous primate, has been documented as surviving on Bangka Island, Indonesia, following nearly a century without formal scientific records. The species had not appeared in scientific literature since the 1930s, leading the IUCN Red List to classify it as critically endangered and possibly extinct.

A new study published in the journal Spixiana utilized data from the Alobi Wildlife Rescue Center, which documented more than 90 rescues of the species between 2015 and 2025. These animals were frequently encountered in human-populated areas, including gardens, near roads, and on power lines.

Of the rescued animals, 86 were successfully rehabilitated and released into various forest fragments across the island. While the presence of the species in multiple regencies suggests the population is not confined to a single isolated location, researchers warn that the species remains under threat from habitat destruction and human activity.