Genus Nycticebus, native to South and Southeast Asia is one of the least studied Asian primates, owing to its nocturnal lifestyle, cryptic and its small body size. Five species of genus Nycticebus (N. bengalensis, N. coucang, N. javanicus, N. menagensis and N. pygmaeus) recognized based on genetic analysis. In many Asian countries slow lorises are in high demand for traditional medicine. With their low reproduction rate, wild populations of Nycticebus cannot withstand these large-scale off-takes and many authors report regional population declines.

Preliminary population survey has indicated the presence of Bengal slow loris (Nycticebus bengalensis) in the NE States. Such studies have also indicated that the existence of the species is seriously threatened by hunting and deforestation, medicinal and pet trades, despite in India being included in Schedule I Species as per Wildlife Protection Act of India, 1972. Due to the limited information, the Bengal slow loris, endemic to South and Southeast Asia, has been until recently categorized as Data Deficient in IUCN Red list (2006). Recently it was up-listed from Appendix – II to Appendix – I of CITES (2007) and now considered as ‘Vulnerable’, (A2acd+3cd+4acd) in South and Southeast Asia with limited conservation attention. Being ecologically unexplored and unattended in India, survival threat of Bengal slow loris becomes more real in Assam due to illegal logging, slash & burn cultivation, encroachment and medicinal use.

However, no conservation strategy or management plan can be developed in the almost complete absence of specific and detailed information about habitat status, behavioral activities, feeding and habitat utilization pattern of Bengal slow loris in these areas. In such scenario, comprehensive study on Bengal slow loris is ardently require to fill up the gaps of knowledge and to formulate the species specific conservation action plan as it is an important seed disperser, pollinator and indicator of health of forest ecosystem. Hence we develop this project which is the first step of integrated biological research, monitoring and conservation program of Bengal slow loris in Assam.

The aim of this project is to know Bengal slow loris’s behavioral activities, feeding ecology, habitat status and threat. The project also attempt to educate local people about slow loris conservation and primate in general. The project site is Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary of Assam, India where we have encountered highest number of slow loris during our recent survey.