Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 15 hrs ago
Bangka slow loris confirmed alive on Indonesia’s Bangka island
A study confirms the Bangka slow loris still lives on Bangka island in Indonesia, after the species had been missing from scientific records for about 90 years.
The small, tree-dwelling primate is active at night and moves slowly through the trees.
Its last reliable scientific records date to 1930–1932, and it was considered at very high risk of extinction.
A local wildlife rescue centre recorded more than 90 animals between 2015 and 2025, after residents reported animals found around homes, gardens, farms and roads.
Eighty-six were released back into the wild after receiving care.
The findings show the species lives in several parts of the island, but its total population is still unknown.
More surveys are needed to establish how many remain.
A study has confirmed that the Bangka slow loris is still alive on Indonesia’s Bangka island, after its last reliable scientific record dated to 1930–1932.
The Alobi Wildlife Rescue Centre recorded or rescued more than 90 of the primates between 2015 and 2025.
Of those, 86 were released into suitable natural habitat after recovering.
Reports from residents and rescue records indicate the species occurs in different parts of the island.
Researchers say the island’s total population is not known and further surveys are needed.
- Who
- The Bangka slow loris, scientifically named Nycticebus bancanus.
- What
- A study confirmed the species is still alive. More than 90 were recorded or rescued, and 86 were released after recovery.
- When
- The records cover 2015 to 2025. Its last reliable scientific record was from 1930 to 1932.
- Where
- Bangka island, Indonesia.
- Why
- Local residents reported animals found injured or at risk, helping researchers document the species. The sources do not state why the species had gone unrecorded in scientific records.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The last reliable scientific record of the Bangka slow loris was documented.
The Alobi Wildlife Rescue Centre recorded or rescued more than 90 Bangka slow lorises.
After recovery, 86 animals were released into suitable natural habitat.
Articles reported that a new study confirmed the species survives on Bangka island.
- Scientific name
- Nycticebus bancanus
- Island
- Bangka, Indonesia
- Records and rescues
- More than 90, 2015–2025
- Released after recovery
- 86
- Last reliable scientific record
- 1930–1932
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Feared extinct, Bangka slow loris primate rediscovered in Indonesia https://t.co/CmKI709RUT