Endangered Slow Loris Rescued in Ledo

Ledo: An endangered Slow Loris, locally known as Lazuki Bandor, was successfully rescued on Sunday morning from a residential area in Ledo, under the 83rd Margherita Legislative Assembly Constituency. The primate was found near the home of Kishore Chetry in the Hamukjaan area, who promptly alerted forest authorities. The Slow Loris, a nocturnal and tree-dwelling species, is known for its wide, expressive eyes and slow, deliberate movements. It is listed as endangered due to habitat loss and illegal trade. Responding swiftly, a team from the Ledo Beat Forest Office, under the Digboi Forest Division, reached the location and safely rescued the animal without causing it harm. Forest officials confirmed that the Slow Loris appeared healthy and would be kept under short-term observation before being released into a protected forest habitat. The species is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which prohibits hunting, capturing, or keeping it in captivity without official clearance. Conservationists commended both the resident and forest team for their quick and responsible actions, emphasizing that public awareness plays a key role in protecting endangered species. The rescue comes amid rising concerns over habitat encroachment and increasing human-wildlife encounters in the region. Authorities have urged the public to report any sightings of wild or endangered animals to the forest department and to avoid disturbing them.