Javan Slow Loris: Facing the Limits of Knowledge and Food Resources

“Oh, is that the one from Zootopia?”

How often do we get asked that when talking about the Slow Loris? For us, the answer is: quite often. Many people mistake the Slow Loris for a Sloth. While both are famous for their sluggish pace—and the name "slow loris" literally highlights their movement—they are fundamentally different.

Moreover, are "Kukang" (Slow Loris) and "Kungkang" (Sloth) the same? Despite the similar-sounding names in Indonesian, they belong to entirely different worlds. The Slow Loris is a member of the Primate order, while the Sloth belongs to the Pilosa order. This widespread lack of knowledge is a major hurdle, especially concerning the Javan Slow Loris.

When we talk about limitations, the Javan Slow Loris seems to be surrounded by them. Not only is it limited in distribution, population, and habitat—earning it a spot on the Endangered list since 2008—but it also faces a scarcity of scientific data and food availability.

The Javan Slow Loris (Nycticebus javanicus) is a primate endemic to the island of Java. Despite its name, this venomous primate—one of the world's only venomous mammals—is only confirmed to reside in West and Central Java. Information regarding its presence in East Java remains purely anecdotal.

The Javan Slow Loris and Local Knowledge in Kemuning Forest

One of its key habitats in Central Java is the Kemuning Forest, located in Kemuning Village, Temanggung. Most residents here are coffee farmers, tending to their crops under the dense canopy of the forest. Their lives are deeply intertwined with the woods.

Yet, despite this proximity, not all residents recognize the silent nocturnal neighbor sharing their space. Structured interviews conducted by the JAWI team revealed a stark gender gap in local knowledge. Men, who frequently engage in night activities in the forest, are generally familiar with the loris. In contrast, many women have never seen the animal firsthand because they rarely enter the forest after dark.

Interestingly, some women could still describe the animal and knew it was protected by the government. Their source of information? The wildlife conservation signboards installed by JAWI. They read these signs while accompanying their children to play—proof that education can thrive in the simplest of spaces.

"Oh, the Javan Slow Loris! It's the one on the board near the forest entrance, right? It looks like a cat, brown, with white stripes on its head. I know it from the picture, though I've never met one in the forest," said Sumarsih, one of the female respondents.

What Exactly Does a Javan Slow Loris Eat?

While they are forest dwellers, the Javan Slow Loris is remarkably resilient. These arboreal animals can adapt to agroforestry areas, provided there is canopy connectivity. Unlike many primates we know, the Javan Slow Loris is an exudativore—a gum feeder.

Their diet depends on the tree species available in their home range. Unfortunately, those living in agroforestry areas face a food crisis as their gum-producing trees are disappearing. Monitoring results from the Little Fireface Project (LFP) show a drastic decline: of 75 food trees recorded in 2013, only 10 survived by 2021. The most prized tree is the Jiengjen (Acacia decurrens).

Jiengjen gum is a crucial energy source available year-round. Before feeding, the loris gouges the bark, an activity that also helps clean their teeth. In the dry season, they may consume the nectar of the Red Calliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus). The primary reason for the decline in Jiengjen trees is human activity—trees are often cut down for furniture, building materials, or because they are considered a nuisance to crops.

If this continues, the already limited food sources will vanish. However, there is a silver lining: Jiengjen gum has a nutritional quality similar to Arabic Gum, a tradable commodity. Could a "Jiengjen Gum" business be the win-win solution to bridge the gap between loris food security and the local economy?

Unlimited Hope

Despite these limitations, the spirit of conservationists remains boundless. To increase awareness, two researchers from the JAWI team presented their findings on the Javan Slow Loris at the 9th Asian Primate Symposium in Medan, North Sumatra.

We hope this article brings you one step closer to caring for the Javan Slow Loris. If you wish to learn more, feel free to browse our other articles. You can also support JAWI's conservation efforts in Kemuning Forest by purchasing our coffee via social media (@javanwildlife).

Let’s ensure that "limitations" no longer define the future of the Javan Slow Loris. Salam lestari!

References:

• Cabana, F., et al. (2017). The seasonal feeding ecology of the Javan slow loris. American Journal of Physical Anthropology.

• Dewi, T., et al. (2024). Carbohydrate-rich diet for Javan slow loris in highland agricultural human-dominated habitat. 9th Asian Primate Symposium.

• Rachmawati, F. D., et al. (2024). Illuminating conservation through local ecological knowledge: Insights from the Javan slow loris in Kemuning. 9th Asian Primate Symposium.