Vento Saudale & Ratri M. Siniwi Jakarta Globe 20 Dec 16;
Jakarta. Javan slow lorises that were under the custody of West Java's Natural Resources Conservation Agency, or BKSDA, have been released to Mount Halimun Salak National Park in West Java by an environmental organization.
International Animal Rescue Indonesia (Yiari) has already released 10 slow lorises (Nycticebus javanicus), some of which were confiscated from poachers by BKSDA. The release process had to be done in stages.
"Before [the animals] were released, they had to undergo a series of checkups and microchipping," Yiari veterinarian Wendi Prameswari said on Monday (19/12).
In several weeks 10 more animals will be returned to their habitat.
"We are doing the final preparations for the release of 10 more slow lorises. One or two of them will have radio transmitters, so we'll be able to track their progress," Wendi said.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Javan slow lorises are critically endangered. Under the Indonesian law, whoever keeps them as pets or is engaged in illegal wildlife trade, can face 5 years in prison.
