Venomous animal with an adorable appearance makes remarkable comeback after nearly 90 years
The Bangka slow loris, a venomous primate feared extinct after disappearing from scientific records for nearly 90 years, has been rediscovered in Indonesia. Researchers found the cute but deadly creature turning up in residential gardens, on local roads, and across urban areas on Bangka island. Although missing from science since the 1930s, local residents had continued encountering the animals over the years. This unusual primate was hiding in plain sight, prompting renewed conservation attention for the critically endangered species.
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- ✓ The Bangka slow loris is the world's only venomous primate.
- ✓ The species was last seen in scientific records in 1937 before being rediscovered in Indonesia.
- ✓ The primate has been found turning up in gardens, on roads, and in urban areas on Bangka island.
- ✓ The Bangka slow loris is critically endangered.
What changed
Scientists documented the Bangka slow loris alive on an Indonesian island after the primate was lost to science for nearly 90 years.
Live updates
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Venomous Bangka Slow Loris Rediscovered After Decades
The Bangka slow loris, a venomous primate feared extinct after disappearing from scientific records for nearly 90 years, has been rediscovered in Indonesia. Researchers found the cute but deadly creature turning up in residential gardens, on local roads, and across urban areas on Bangka island. Although missing from science since the 1930s, local residents had continued encountering the animals over the years. This unusual primate was hiding in plain sight, prompting renewed conservation attention for the critically endangered species.
Why it matters
Slow lorises are notable for being the world's only venomous primates, possessing a toxic bite used in defense and combat. The species had not appeared in scientific literature since 1937, leading conservationists to fear it had vanished entirely. Its reappearance in human-populated spaces highlights how certain wildlife manages to evade formal tracking while living in close proximity to human settlements.
What is confirmed
- The Bangka slow loris is the world's only venomous primate.
- The species was last seen in scientific records in 1937 before being rediscovered in Indonesia.
- The primate has been found turning up in gardens, on roads, and in urban areas on Bangka island.
- The Bangka slow loris is critically endangered.
Still unconfirmed
- Local residents have encountered the primate for years.
What to watch next
- Further field surveys by conservationists to assess the population size and health of the Bangka slow loris
- Official updates on protection measures for the newly rediscovered primate habitats in Indonesia
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (11)
- New York Post — World’s only venomous primate lost to science for 90 years resurfaces in unbelievable place
- Reuters — Feared extinct, Bangka slow loris primate rediscovered in Indonesia
- Phys.org — Venomous primate thought lost to science for nearly a century turns up in gardens and on roads across Indonesia
- FOX Weather — Venomous animal with an adorable appearance makes remarkable comeback after nearly 90 years
- VICE — Adorable Venomous Primate Thought Extinct Discovered Hanging Out in People's Backyards
- www.vice.com — Adorable Venomous Primate Thought Extinct Discovered ... - VICE
- www.foxweather.com — First case of deadly white-nose syndrome detected in Glacier National Park bat
- www.yahoo.com — Venomous animal with an adorable appearance makes remarkable ...
- knowridge.com — Rare venomous primate rediscovered in Indonesia after nearly ...
- www.zmescience.com — Scientists Thought This Venomous Primate Might Be Extinct. It ...
- www.indonesianow.co — Long-Lost Venomous Primate Rediscovered in Indonesia
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