Hidden in the shadows of the Western Ghats forests lives one of India’s most mysterious and misunderstood primates the grey slender loris. Found only in southern India and Sri Lanka, this nocturnal hunter plays a quiet but vital role in forest ecosystems. Yet, despite its ecological importance and unique evolutionary history, the species continues to face serious threats driven largely by harmful myths, habitat loss and human activity.
At first mention, the loris is often confused with the wide-eyed lemurs made famous by popular animated films. But unlike those Madagascar natives, the grey slender loris belongs to a different primate lineage altogether. Scientists believe that lemurs and lorises may share a distant common ancestor, a link often cited as evidence supporting the continental drift theory, when today’s continents were once part of a single landmass.
The grey slender loris inhabits a wide range of landscapes, stretching from the wet evergreen forests of Wayanad in Kerala to the dry scrublands of Tamil Nadu. Barely 25 centimetres long and weighing less than 400 grams, it is known locally by evocative names. In Tamil folklore, it is called kaadu paapa, meaning “child of the forest”. In parts of Kerala, traditional honey collectors believed its cry foretold rain, while some farming communities associated its call before harvest with warnings of storms or pest attacks.
Unlike many animals, the loris does not vocalise casually. As a stealthy nocturnal hunter feeding on crickets, grasshoppers, lizards and small birds, it moves almost silently through the canopy. Its flexible spine, long limbs and opposable thumbs allow it to cling motionless to branches for extended periods. With no tail and exceptionally large, forward-facing eyes, it is perfectly adapted for night vision.
Among Kerala’s Kattunaikkan and Kurumba communities, the loris is described as a silent night watcher with glowing eyes, observing forest paths hidden beneath creepers. The Muthuvan tribe along the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border warns children not to follow it at night, believing it can lead them into thorny areas where snakes hide. Some tribal groups also believe the loris has knowledge of medicinal plants, as it feeds on insects associated with healing shrubs.
Science supports at least part of this mystique. The grey slender loris plays a crucial role in controlling insect populations. Remarkably, it can consume toxic insects by licking a mild venom secreted from glands near its elbows before hunting a rare trait among primates.
However, not all beliefs have protected the species. For decades, the loris has been hunted for body parts wrongly believed to cure eye ailments or ward off evil. It has also been captured for illegal pet trade and roadside performances, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Beyond hunting, the species faces growing threats from habitat fragmentation, road accidents, electrocution and unregulated tourism that disrupts forest canopy continuity.
Reliable population data remains limited, relying mainly on local studies. A 2022 survey by the Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department estimated around 8,800 individuals in Karur district and about 8,400 in Dindigul. The species is protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and is currently listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Recognising the urgency, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have begun focused conservation efforts. In Tamil Nadu’s Kadavur Reserve Forest, forest staff are mapping canopy corridors and planting native trees to restore habitat connectivity. Conservationists are also advocating for dedicated nocturnal wildlife surveys, stricter enforcement of wildlife laws and awareness campaigns that revive protective folklore while challenging myths that lead to harm.
Experts believe that reshaping public perception is as important as habitat restoration. By transforming fear-based and exploitative beliefs into respect and stewardship rooted in traditional knowledge, the grey slender loris may yet continue its silent watch over the forests of the Western Ghats.