Summary:
The slow loris species-the world's only venomous primate- is near extinction due to the illegal pet trade. Because of it's nocturnal nature, scientists' had difficulty examining the species; but were able to uncover what was known to be two species of loris and two subspecies, was really four different species. The species went unrecognized because they were lumped falsely lumped together as one species. With this new reveal, it is much harder to protect four species than one; because of the need to preserve the population numbers of each as well as a sufficient habitat. With the boom in the black market, more of these loris species are being hunted as pets, as props in tourist photos, or dismantled for medicines. Being sold for as little as $20 dollars in Indonesia, lots of the loris' die due to their inability to eat because of their front teeth being plied out, and their owners playing with them during the day. Despite their bite being poisonous, they are very timid creatures. The four species were determined because of the differences in the organisms' face mask.
The slow loris species-the world's only venomous primate- is near extinction due to the illegal pet trade. Because of it's nocturnal nature, scientists' had difficulty examining the species; but were able to uncover what was known to be two species of loris and two subspecies, was really four different species. The species went unrecognized because they were lumped falsely lumped together as one species. With this new reveal, it is much harder to protect four species than one; because of the need to preserve the population numbers of each as well as a sufficient habitat. With the boom in the black market, more of these loris species are being hunted as pets, as props in tourist photos, or dismantled for medicines. Being sold for as little as $20 dollars in Indonesia, lots of the loris' die due to their inability to eat because of their front teeth being plied out, and their owners playing with them during the day. Despite their bite being poisonous, they are very timid creatures. The four species were determined because of the differences in the organisms' face mask.
Reflection:
When I first saw this organism through a video of it eating a rice ball, I thought it was a close relative to the sloth, because of it's tranquil facial expression, face mask, and it's ability to grasp onto tree branches so securely; as well as it's slow movements. But what I first noticed was its timidness and how it looked so vulnerable. At first, I didn't know that the animal was not suppose to be kept as a pet, nor did I know that it was endangered; but now learning about it, makes the video not as great as it was the first time I saw it. The article mentions that the Loris is protected by CITIES, but despite this fact, the illegal black market continues to hunt down these species. I think it is a rough situation that preservationist and conservationist must find a situation for, because people involved in such a system are quite obstinate about the situation. I think it is sad that when they capture these creatures, the owners that buy them do not know how to care for them. Instead, they keep them up during the day, when they are nocturnal creatures; making it a severe waste for them to be utilized as pets.
When I first saw this organism through a video of it eating a rice ball, I thought it was a close relative to the sloth, because of it's tranquil facial expression, face mask, and it's ability to grasp onto tree branches so securely; as well as it's slow movements. But what I first noticed was its timidness and how it looked so vulnerable. At first, I didn't know that the animal was not suppose to be kept as a pet, nor did I know that it was endangered; but now learning about it, makes the video not as great as it was the first time I saw it. The article mentions that the Loris is protected by CITIES, but despite this fact, the illegal black market continues to hunt down these species. I think it is a rough situation that preservationist and conservationist must find a situation for, because people involved in such a system are quite obstinate about the situation. I think it is sad that when they capture these creatures, the owners that buy them do not know how to care for them. Instead, they keep them up during the day, when they are nocturnal creatures; making it a severe waste for them to be utilized as pets.