KHOWAI: A rare Bengal slow loris was rescued this evening from the Bara Bil area along the national highway in Khowai district, forest department officials said.
According to sources, a local resident spotted the protected nocturnal primate beside the highway around 7 PM and immediately took the animal into his custody before alerting the forest department. Forest personnel rushed to the spot and retrieved the slow loris, bringing it to the Khowai forest department office for safekeeping.
Officials confirmed that the animal would be given medical examination and treatment before being released back into its natural habitat.
The Bengal slow loris, locally referred to as “lajjabati banar,” is a protected species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act and is often illegally trafficked for the exotic pet trade due to its slow movements and large eyes. Wildlife experts have repeatedly flagged the Northeast India region, including Tripura, as a corridor for such trafficking.
Forest department sources said further details on the animal’s health and planned release location would be shared in the coming days.