In a significant step towards the preservation of Indonesia’s endangered wildlife, the West Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA), in partnership with the Gunung Halimun Salak National Park Authority (BTNGHS) and our Indonesian partners YIARI, has translocated ten critically endangered Javan slow lorises (Nycticebus javanicus) to the Mount Kendeng National Park Resort Management Area in Sukabumi. This conservation action forms part of an ongoing initiative to safeguard this endemic and endangered species.
Details of the Translocation Effort
The translocated slow lorises include three males, Petruk, Yuda, Gareng, together with seven females, Alon, Citas, Kunthi, Madrim, Bestari, Kajol, and Loni. Each loris had been surrendered to the BBKSDA West Java and BKSDA Yogyakarta by local residents and subsequently underwent intensive medical care and rehabilitation at YIARI’s rehabilitation centre in Bogor. The preparation process was designed to restore the animals’ health and reestablish their natural behaviours essential for survival in the wild.
This effort aligns with Indonesian legislation for the protection of endangered wildlife, as stipulated by Law No. 32 of 2024, which amends Law No. 5 of 1990 on Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation. The Javan slow loris is also listed under Regulation No. P.20/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/6/2018 on Protected Species in Indonesia and is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Rehabilitation and Release Process
Rehabilitation efforts focused on conditioning the slow lorises for reintroduction to their native habitat. This included tailored diets, medical checks, and the use of environments that encouraged natural behaviour. Mount Kendeng was selected as the release site due to its ample food resources, isolation from human activities, and protection from potential threats such as hunting. Following the translocation, the lorises spent a week in an 18-square-meter habituation enclosure to gradually acclimate to the new environment. The final release at night is accompanied by a two to three months post-release monitoring period using GPS collars, enabling conservationists to monitor adaptation and ensure the lorises’ welfare.
Argitoe Ranting, YIARI’s Director of Operations, expressed pride in the successful translocation. “This release represents the culmination of extensive, careful efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and reintroduce these slow lorises into the wild. We hope this milestone not only benefits the animals’ wellbeing but also contributes valuable data to our understanding and preservation of Javan slow loris populations.”
Community Impact and Conservation Goals
The release of these Javan slow lorises is expected to contribute to ecological balance within Mount Kendeng and foster community awareness regarding conservation efforts. The program hopes to strengthen local biodiversity and inspire further wildlife protection initiatives by restoring this species to its natural habitat.
Gavin Bruce, International Animal Rescue, emphasised the importance of community involvement: “The success of this release would not have been possible without the goodwill and cooperation of the local communities. Their support and generous contributions from our donors have given these animals a second chance at life in the wild.”