The Grey Slender Loris and the Indian Pangolin are both shy, elusive, nocturnal mammals that we know very little about. While the pangolin is the most trafficked mammal in the world due to poaching and illegal trade, the loris is threatened by habitat fragmentation, electrocution, pet trade, and killing due to superstitious beliefs. Both species are considered threatened under the IUCN Red List, Loris lydekkerianus as Near Threatened and Manis crassicaudata as Endangered.
Although populations are known to occur in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR), neither species has been assessed in the study area. In fact, there are no published population estimates of the Indian Pangolin from India. Considering potential threats such as the spread of invasive plant species Lantana camara and Senna spectabilis that alter habitat structure, and misconceptions and negative beliefs of local communities towards the species, it is of conservation importance to understand the ecological requirements and assess the status of these understudied animals. Since the organization has been actively working on several community-based conservation projects in the study area, institutional sustainability will be maintained through continued engagement with indigenous people and other stakeholders. Women-led enterprises will be supported to create products with conservation messages.
