A. Species
Scientific name: Nycticebus coucang
Common name(s): Greater slow loris
Global IUCN Red List Threat Status: Endangered
B. Location of use
Geographic location(s):
- Sumatera
Country/Region: Indonesia / North Sumatra
C. Scale of assessment
Scale of assessment: Individual Site
Name/Details of location: Medan / Bird markets around the city
D. Timescale of use
Start Year: 1997
End Year: 2008
E. Information about the use
How is the wild species sourced?: Wild species sourced from its natural habitat
Type of use: Extractive
Practice of use: Hunting and/or Trapping of live terrestrial and aerial animals
Lethal or non-lethal: Non-Lethal
Does this use involve take/extraction of: The whole entire organism
Purpose(s) of end use: Food and feed, Medicine and hygiene, Keeping/companionship/display, Learning and education and Recreation
Motivation of use: Basic subsistence, Income generation from trade (individual/household/community) and Largescale commercial exploitation for trade
Is this use legal or illegal?: Illegal under national law
F. Information about the Users
Which stakeholder(s) does the record primarily focus on?: Local people
G. Information about the sustainability of use
Is there evidence that the use is having an impact on the target species?: Wild species sourced from its natural habitat
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from an ecological perspective been recorded?: No, sustainability not determined
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from an economic perspective been recorded?: No, sustainability not determined
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from a social perspective been recorded?: Yes, considered unsustainable
Details of assessment carried out: this study discusses this but no unambiguous conclusion (see below)
Brief summary on why the use has been assessed/judged to be sustainable or unsustainable: the study mentions that the number of primates (especially long-tailed macaques) observed in the bird markets in Medan has declined slightly over recent years, but this appears to be due to the impact of avian influenza rather than to fear of legal action being taken against dealers.
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from a human health perspective been recorded?: No, sustainability not determined
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from an animal health/welfare perspective been recorded?: Yes, considered unsustainable
Details of assessment carried out: this study
Brief summary on why the use has been assessed/judged to be sustainable or unsustainable: According to dealers in the market and from direct observations, mortality rates of some species sold as pets, such as the greater slow loris, are high, as many die from infections (after having their teeth removed with pliers), inappropriate food and stress. These animals are relatively inexpensive as far as pets go, and mortalities are not considered a serious issue. Pets such as these are viewed as being easily replaceable.
Recommendations provided in the record to maintain or enhance the sustainability of the use of the target species
As most of the primate species observed are recognized as being threatened to varying degrees by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, taking action against the illegal capture and trade should be considered a priority for conservation and enforcement efforts. The Natural Resources Conservation Agency in North Sumatra should be encouraged to monitor these markets regularly and to take action against individuals involved in illegal capture and sale of primates. Individuals found unlawfully keeping or trading in primates should be punished to the full extent of the law. Successful prosecutions should be publicized widely by the media to serve as a deterrent for others. Wildlife markets where illegal trade in wildlife is carried out, such as the bird market in Medan, should be closed down by the relevant authorities.
Record source
Information about the record source: scientific_pub
Date of publication/issue/production: 2010-01-01T00:00:00+0000
Source Reference(s):
Date of record entry: 2022-12-05