Bangka Slow Loris Confirmed Alive After Decades
Researchers document over 90 individuals of the rare primate previously thought extinct.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Wildlife
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Should protecting endangered habitats take precedence over land development for tin mining or agriculture?
Scientists confirmed the survival of the Bangka slow loris, a species last officially documented in the 1930s. Between 2015 and 2025, rescue efforts recorded more than 90 individuals on the island of Bangka.
Why it matters
The survival of the Bangka slow loris provides hope for conservationists after the species was labeled as potentially extinct in 2020. Systematic field surveys are now required to better understand remaining population sizes and specific survival locations.
Researchers documented 90 Bangka slow loris individuals between 2015 and 2025, with 86 of those animals successfully returned to natural habitats. The species remains categorized as critically endangered.
The players
Alobi Wildlife Rescue Center
This conservation organization is responsible for identifying and rehabilitating native wildlife species found in human-impacted areas.
International Union for Conservation of Nature
This global organization maintains the Red List of Threatened Species to track the extinction risk of animals and plants.
The details
The Alobi Wildlife Rescue Center recorded the animals after finding them in residential areas, gardens, plantations, and on roads. This unique primate is known for producing a potent venom by mixing secretions from elbow glands with saliva.
Timeline
Scientific records for the species were last confirmed between 1930 and 1932.
The IUCN categorized the species as possibly extinct in 2020.
Over 90 individuals were documented by rescue staff between 2015 and 2025.
Culture Shift
The rediscovery of the Bangka slow loris highlights a broader shift in how conservationists address species presumed to be lost to habitat degradation. This find emphasizes the necessity of ongoing monitoring in biodiversity hotspots like Indonesia.
The habitat of the Bangka slow loris remains threatened by ongoing tin mining operations and land clearing for oil palm plantations. Residents and businesses in the area are increasingly encountering these primates as their natural forest territory continues to diminish.
The takeaway
The return of the Bangka slow loris proves that systematic monitoring in human-disturbed habitats can lead to significant conservation breakthroughs. Continued land-use reform is essential to ensuring these primates survive alongside local economic development.
Further reading
Learn more about ongoing efforts to protect endangered species in the Wildlife section.
Live Poll
Should protecting endangered habitats take precedence over land development for tin mining or agriculture?
