The venomous creature thought to be extinct – and discovered in horrifying places

A new study reveals that the Bangka slow loris, a venomous primate thought to have been extinct since 1937, has survived in dozens of individuals in Indonesia — in house yards, along roadsides, and on power lines. Researchers were stunned by the discovery but warn of a severe extinction risk.

Nearly 90 years have passed since the Bangka slow loris, a rare venomous primate living in Indonesia, was last documented, and researchers feared it was extinct. A new study reveals the animal survived in the least expected places: in house yards, along roadsides, and even on power lines on Bangka Island. The discovery came from a study documenting over 90 individuals between 2015 and 2025. Many were found near humans after residents alerted the Alobi Wildlife Rescue Center. Some suffered severe injuries, and one was attacked by a dog. The center rehabilitated and released 86 individuals into the wild. The loris, about 25 centimeters long, is a venomous primate — by licking a gland on its arm, it activates venom that can cause anaphylactic shock. Timon Glaw, a researcher from the Haus des Meeres zoo in Vienna, told Reuters he is surprised that such an impressive primate has received so little scientific attention. Langka Sani, director of the wildlife rescue center, warned that the habitat has shrunk due to illegal tin mining and extensive deforestation for oil palm plantations.