The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™

ISSN 2307-8235 (online)

IUCN 2020: T163015906A163015915
Scope(s): Global
Language: English

Nycticebus borneanus, Bornean Slow Loris

Assessment by: Nekaris, K.A.I. & Miard, P.

View on www.iucnredlist.org

Citation: Nekaris, K.A.I. & Miard, P. 2020. Nycticebus borneanus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species 2020: e.T163015906A163015915. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-
2.RLTS.T163015906A163015915.en

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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™

Taxonomy
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family

Animalia Chordata Mammalia Primates Lorisidae

Scientific Name: Nycticebus borneanus Lyon, 1906

Common Name(s):
• English: Bornean Slow Loris
Taxonomic Source(s):
Munds, R.A., Nekaris, K.A.I. and Ford, S.M. 2013. Taxonomy of the Bornean slow loris, with new species
Nycticebus kayan (Primates, Lorisidae). American journal of primatology 75(1): 46-56.

Taxonomic Notes:
This taxon was previously included in Nycticebus menagensis, but was described as a separate species
by Munds et al. (2013). The species description was based on facemask variation between sampled
photographs and museum specimens previously classed as N. menagensis.

Identification Information:
Nycticebus borneanus has a dark contrasting facemask and predominantly round but sometimes a
diffuse-edged upper circumocular patch. The lower circumocular patch never extends below the
zygomatic arch, variable width interocular stripe, the crown patch is often round but sometimes a band
(never diffuse), the ears are hairy, and the preauricular hair band is wide. In addition, the pelage is
extremely long and fluffy, almost resembling a subadult; museum specimens of this type were
confirmed though to be adult (Munds et al., 2013).

Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria: Vulnerable A2cd+3cd ver 3.1

Year Published: 2020

Date Assessed: November 22, 2015

Justification:
Nycticebus borneanus is listed as Vulnerable as there has been a more than 30% reduction in population
over three generations (approximately 21-24 years) based on harvesting for the pet trade and extensive
habitat loss. Although it is adaptable to anthropogenic change, forest loss has been so severe that it is
likely to have had some negative impacts, with Borneo losing a third of its forest in less than 25 years, as
also due to extensive fires.

Geographic Range
Range Description:
Nycticebus borneanus is found in central south Borneo (West, South, and Central Kalimantan, but

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Nycticebus borneanus – published in 2020. 1
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excluding the extreme southwest), south of the Kapuas River, extending as far east as the Barito River.
This species may occur sympatrically with N. kayan or with N. menagensis (Munds et al. 2013).

Country Occurrence:
Native, Extant (resident): Indonesia (Kalimantan)

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Distribution Map

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Nycticebus borneanus – published in 2020. 3
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Population
The only survey data available to date for this species is from a survey in Bukit Batikap Protected Forest,
Central Kalimantan, where the species was recorded at densities of 0.05 individuals/km (Van Berkel,
2011). This species is believed to be in decline due overexploitation and loss of habitat from
deforestation and forest fires.
Current Population Trend: Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)

As for other as other slow lorises (Nycticebus spp.), this species is nocturnal and arboreal. It has been
observed in dipterocarp forest at Bukit Batikap Protected Forest, Central Kalimantan (Van Berkel 2011).
Slow Lorises in Borneo are found in a range of habitats from heavily degraded to pristine rainforest,
plantations, and lowland and montane forests (Nekaris et al. 2008, Thorn et al. 2009).

Systems: Terrestrial

Use and Trade (see Appendix for additional information)

In Indonesia, this species has specific uses in traditional medicine and ceremonies. Hybridization poses a
real threat to this species both in the wild and for confiscated individuals in rescue centres. Legal
penalties for illegal hunting, trafficking or selling lorises across their range are often not enforced, and
the current penalty is not seen as a significant deterrent.

Lack of law enforcement further threatens slow loris species across their range (Nekaris and Starr, 2015;
Nijman et al., 2014).

Threats (see Appendix for additional information)

Burning and habitat conversion, especially to oil palm plantations, almost certainly represents a threat
to this species. The Slow Loris species studied so far are relatively adaptable to anthropogenic change,
although forest loss has been so severe that it is likely to have had some negative impacts, with Borneo
losing a third of its forest in less than 25 years (Rautner and Hardino, 2005). Forest fires of 2015 in
Borneo have been the worst since 2004, and acres of forest have been burned, leading to a significant
decrease in the habitat of this species. In Indonesia, habitat fragmentation, deforestation and the lack of
data available on the species habitat requirements are seen to be the most significant risks to this
species.

The occurrence of Nycticebus menagensis in the illegal wildlife trade suggests that N. borneanus is also
at risk of exploitation by the illegal wildlife trade. The species has not yet appeared in photographs of
rescued individuals (Nekaris, pers. obs.). Legal penalties for illegal hunting, trafficking or selling lorises
across their range are often not enforced, and the current penalty is not seen as a significant deterrent.
In Indonesia, this species has specific uses in traditional medicine and ceremonies. Hybridization poses a
real threat to this species both in the wild and for confiscated individuals in rescue centres.

Lack of law enforcement further threatens slow loris species across their range (Starr and Nekaris 2015,
Nijman et al. 2014).

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Nycticebus borneanus – published in 2020. 4
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Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
This species is protected by Indonesian law and is included in Appendix I of CITES. Following the
description of three new species on Borneo, surveys to assess the status of this species are required.
Some forest fragments where the species is likely to occur remain protected. There is a particular need
for field guides for this and other nocturnal Indonesian primate species, as they are often confused in
rescue centres and elsewhere.

Long-term monitoring of populations, and increasing available data on the species ecology, behaviour
and habitat requirements should be a top priority for this species. There are currently no existing
education programmes for this species across its range and establishing education across its range are
also important in order to address issues with the illegal use of Slow Lorises in the illegal wildlife trade.

Credits
Assessor(s): Nekaris, K.A.I. & Miard, P.

Reviewer(s): Molur, S. & Mittermeier, R.A.

Authority/Authorities: IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group

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Bibliography
IUCN. 2020. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2020-2. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 13 June 2020).

Munds, R.A., Nekaris, K.A.I. and Ford, S.M. 2013. Taxonomy of the Bornean slow loris, with new species
Nycticebus kayan (Primates, Lorisidae). American journal of primatology 75(1): 46-56.

Nekaris, K.A.I. and Starr C.R. 2015. Conservation and ecology of the neglected Slow Loris: priorities and
prospects. Endangered Species Research 28: 87-95.

Nekaris, K.A.I., Blackham, G.V. and Nijman, V. 2008. Conservation implications of low encounter rates of
five nocturnal primate species (Nycticebus spp.) in Asia. Biodversity and Conservation 17(4): 733-747.

Nijman, V., Shepherd, C.R., and Nekaris, K.A.I. 2014. Trade in Bengal Slow Lorises in Mong La, Myanmar,
on the China Border. Primate Conservation 28(139-142).

Rautner, M., Hardiono, M. and Alfred, R.J. 2005. Borneo: Treasure Island at Risk. Status of Forest,
Wildlife and related Threats on the Island of Borneo. WWF Germany, Frankfurt am Main.

Thorn, J.S., Nijman, V., Smith, D. and Nekaris, K.A.I. 2009. Ecological niche modeling as a technique for
assessing threats and setting conservation priorities for Asian Slow Loris (Primates: Nycticebus).
Diversity and Distributions 15: 289–298.

Van Berkel T. 2011. Murung Raya Expedition 2010-11 Science Report. A biodiversity survey of a lowland
rainforest in Bukit Batikap Protection Forest, Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo . Heart Of Borneo
Project .

Citation
Nekaris, K.A.I. & Miard, P. 2020. Nycticebus borneanus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020:
e.T163015906A163015915. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-
2.RLTS.T163015906A163015915.en

Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.

External Resources
For Supplementary Material, and for Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the
Red List website.

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Nycticebus borneanus – published in 2020. 6
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 Appendix

Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Major
Habitat Season Suitability
Importance?

1. Forest -> 1.6. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Resident Suitable Yes

1. Forest -> 1.9. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane Resident Suitable Yes

14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.3. Artificial/Terrestrial - Plantations Resident Marginal -

14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.4. Artificial/Terrestrial - Rural Gardens Resident Marginal -

14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.6. Artificial/Terrestrial - Subtropical/Tropical Resident Marginal -

Heavily Degraded Former Forest

Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Threat Timing Scope Severity Impact Score

2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.2. Wood & pulp Ongoing Majority (50- Slow, significant Medium
plantations -> 2.2.2. Agro-industry plantations 90%) declines impact: 6

Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion

1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
2. Species Stresses -> 2.2. Species disturbance
2. Species Stresses -> 2.3. Indirect species effects

5. Biological resource use -> 5.1. Hunting & trapping Ongoing Majority (50- Slow, significant Medium
terrestrial animals -> 5.1.1. Intentional use (species is 90%) declines impact: 6

the target)
Stresses: 2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
2. Species Stresses -> 2.2. Species disturbance
2. Species Stresses -> 2.3. Indirect species effects

7. Natural system modifications -> 7.1. Fire & fire Ongoing Majority (50- Slow, significant Medium
suppression -> 7.1.1. Increase in fire 90%) declines impact: 6

frequency/intensity
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
2. Species Stresses -> 2.2. Species disturbance
2. Species Stresses -> 2.3. Indirect species effects

Conservation Actions in Place

(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

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 Conservation Action in Place
In-place research and monitoring

Action Recovery Plan: No

Systematic monitoring scheme: No

In-place land/water protection

Conservation sites identified: No

Area based regional management plan: No

Occurs in at least one protected area: Yes

Invasive species control or prevention: No

In-place species management

Harvest management plan: No

Successfully reintroduced or introduced benignly: No

Subject to ex-situ conservation: No

In-place education

Subject to recent education and awareness programmes: No

Included in international legislation: Yes

Subject to any international management / trade controls: Yes

Conservation Actions Needed

(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Conservation Action Needed

1. Land/water protection -> 1.1. Site/area protection

1. Land/water protection -> 1.2. Resource & habitat protection

2. Land/water management -> 2.1. Site/area management

3. Species management -> 3.1. Species management -> 3.1.1. Harvest management

3. Species management -> 3.2. Species recovery

4. Education & awareness -> 4.3. Awareness & communications

Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends

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 Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.3. Life history & ecology

1. Research -> 1.4. Harvest, use & livelihoods

1. Research -> 1.5. Threats

2. Conservation Planning -> 2.1. Species Action/Recovery Plan

2. Conservation Planning -> 2.2. Area-based Management Plan

3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends

3. Monitoring -> 3.2. Harvest level trends

3. Monitoring -> 3.4. Habitat trends

Additional Data Fields

Distribution
Lower elevation limit (m): 20

Upper elevation limit (m): 150

Population
Continuing decline of mature individuals: Yes

Extreme fluctuations: Unknown

Population severely fragmented: Yes

Continuing decline in subpopulations: Unknown

Extreme fluctuations in subpopulations: Unknown

All individuals in one subpopulation: No

Habitats and Ecology

Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat: Yes

Generation Length (years): 7-8

Movement patterns: Not a Migrant

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The IUCN Red List Partnership

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership.

The IUCN Red List Partners are: Arizona State University; BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens
Conservation International; Conservation International; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew;
Sapienza University of Rome; Texas A&M University; and Zoological Society of London.

THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™