World’s only venomous primate lost to science for 90 years resurfaces in unbelievable place
The critically endangered Bangka slow loris, the world's only venomous primate, has been rediscovered in Indonesia after being lost to science for nearly a century. Researchers documented the elusive creature turning up in gardens, backyards, alongside roads, and on power lines on Bangka Island. The species had vanished from scientific records in the 1930s and was widely feared extinct. Instead of remaining deep in untouched forests, the animals were found closely interacting with human environments, proving adept at hiding rather than dying out entirely.
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- ✓ The Bangka slow loris is the world's only venomous primate.
- ✓ The primate was lost to science for 90 years or nearly a century, last being seen scientifically in 1937.
- ✓ The species was rediscovered in Indonesia on Bangka Island.
- ✓ The animals have turned up in gardens, backyards, on roads, and on power lines.
What changed
Scientists formally rediscovered the critically endangered Bangka slow loris in Indonesia after it went unrecorded by science since the 1930s.
Live updates
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Venomous Primate Rediscovered in Indonesia After Decades
The critically endangered Bangka slow loris, the world's only venomous primate, has been rediscovered in Indonesia after being lost to science for nearly a century. Researchers documented the elusive creature turning up in gardens, backyards, alongside roads, and on power lines on Bangka Island. The species had vanished from scientific records in the 1930s and was widely feared extinct. Instead of remaining deep in untouched forests, the animals were found closely interacting with human environments, proving adept at hiding rather than dying out entirely.
Why it matters
The Bangka slow loris is classified as critically endangered and had been missing from scientific documentation since 1937. Its unexpected resurgence in populated areas highlights how certain threatened species can persist undetected in close proximity to human settlements. This discovery provides fresh opportunities for researchers to study the biology and conservation needs of the unique venomous mammal.
What is confirmed
- The Bangka slow loris is the world's only venomous primate.
- The primate was lost to science for 90 years or nearly a century, last being seen scientifically in 1937.
- The species was rediscovered in Indonesia on Bangka Island.
- The animals have turned up in gardens, backyards, on roads, and on power lines.
What to watch next
- Field studies to assess the total population size of the Bangka slow loris on Bangka Island
- New conservation measures implemented by Indonesian authorities to protect the critically endangered primate in populated areas
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (10)
- 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
- Qazinform — Critically endangered Bangka slow loris documented after decades without scientific records
- Gizmodo — Lost to Science for 89 Years, a Venomous Primate Has Been Sneaking Into People’s Homes and Gardens
- nypost.com — World’s only venomous primate lost to science for 90 years ...
- www.foxweather.com — Cute but venomous animal thought extinct resurfaces after ...
- www.vice.com — Adorable Venomous Primate Thought Extinct Discovered ... - VICE
- Zamin.uz — The world's only venomous primate, lost for nearly a century ...
- turkmenportal.com — A venomous primate, unseen by science for a century, has been ...
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