The Bangka slow loris has made a significant return to the realm of scientific study, marking its first documentation since the 1930s. Despite having been overlooked by scientific literature for nearly 100 years, this critical primate species is still alive and well, as revealed by a recent study published in the scientific journal Spixiana. The Bangka slow loris is native to the Indonesian island of Bangka, where local residents have been reporting sightings of the elusive creature for the past decade.
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The Alobi Wildlife Rescue Center, located in Bangka, has been at the forefront of monitoring and rescuing these primates. For almost ten years, locals have reached out to the centre after discovering the slow lorises in their backyards, gardens, and even on power lines. According to Re:wild, a conservation non-profit, between 2015 and 2025, over 90 individual Bangka slow lorises were rescued from various locations around the island, including the city of Pangkal Pinang.
Classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Bangka slow loris was first identified scientifically in 1906. It became formally recognised as a distinct species in 2013, even though it had not been mentioned in scientific discussions since the 1930s. The recent findings from the Alobi Wildlife Rescue Center showcase the ongoing existence of this rare primate species, demonstrating its persistence in the wild despite significant threats to its habitat.
The study highlights the critical role local knowledge plays in conservation efforts. Benji Barca, the exploration program manager at Re:wild, emphasised that the survival of a species can remain unknown in scientific circles without being lost to the communities living alongside them. He noted that the work conducted by Alobi Wildlife Rescue Centre underscores the importance of collaborating with those who possess a deep understanding of the local ecosystems.
Of the rescued Bangka slow lorises, 86 have been successfully returned to protected forest areas across Bangka. Timon Glaw from Haus des Meeres Aqua Terra Zoo, a co-author of the study, pointed out that while the study confirms the presence of the species on the island, much work remains to be done. Human expansion, including urban development, road construction, and the pet trade, continues to threaten the survival of the Bangka slow loris.
With this latest research confirming the presence of the Bangka slow loris in several regions of the island, conservationists are now calling for a comprehensive long-term strategy. Glaw highlighted the need for population surveys, genetic studies, and stringent habitat protections to ensure that this species remains part of the biodiversity in its native environment.
Langka Sani, director of the Alobi Wildlife Rescue Center, remarked on the stark reality of the species’ declining habitat, which has been severely impacted by illegal tin mining and the expansion of oil palm plantations. He expressed relief that the slow loris could once again be acknowledged in the scientific record, adding that while the species has not vanished, it is perilously close to extinction.
The return of the Bangka slow loris to the scientific literature represents a critical step in raising awareness about its precarious situation. Researchers and conservationists alike are now faced with the urgent task of implementing effective measures to protect this unique primate and its dwindling habitat. As humanity’s impact on the natural world continues to grow, the need for robust conservation strategies has never been more pressing.
The future of the Bangka slow loris hangs in the balance, serving as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by endangered species in an increasingly human-dominated environment. Now that this remarkable primate has re-entered scientific discussions, the focus must shift to ensuring that it does not slip into the annals of extinction.