A Preliminary Distribution of the Bengal Slow Loris Nycticebus bengalensis (Lacepede, 1800) in Bhutan

Abstract

The distribution of the Vulnerable Bengal loris (Nycticebus bengalensis) in Bhutan is poorly known, mainly because of its nocturnal and arboreal habits. IUCN has omitted Bhutan as a Bengal loris range country despite its reported occurrence in the country by a few studies. To comprehensively document sightings of this species in Bhutan, we interviewed 400 local people and 47 forestry staff in four southern districts (Sarpang, Zhemgang, Pemagatshel, and Samdrupjongkhar) from 8 January to 31 March 2016. Twenty-two sightings were reported across 4.5% (n = 18) of local people and 8.5% (n = 4) of forestry staff. Georeferenced records of sightings were supplemented by official rescue records, to produce the first ever distribution map of the Bengal loris in Bhutan. All loris sightings were close to the Indo-Bhutan border adjoining the Indian states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, necessitating transboundary collaboration towards conserving the Bengal loris. Future intensive research is needed to generate comprehensive information on the abundance, distribution, and ecology of the species in Bhutan, in conjunction with conservation awareness programs for local people. We further recommend that IUCN recognizes Bhutan as a Bengal loris range country, to accurately depict the geographical extent of its global distribution