World’s only venomous primate lost to science for 90 years resurfaces in unbelievable place

The Bangka slow loris, the only known venomous primate, has been recorded alive after nearly a century of absence. Reports from Indonesia describe individuals entering gardens, crossing roads and even slipping into private homes. The sightings break a gap of 89 to 90 years during which the species vanished from scientific documentation. Conservationists now confirm that the animal is still extant in the wild. Coverage of the rediscovery appears across a range of outlets.

Reuters headlines the find as a species “feared extinct” and notes its critical endangerment. Qazinform emphasizes the primate’s status as critically endangered and highlights the lack of records for decades. Phys.org details the locations of the encounters, mentioning gardens and roads across Indonesia. Gizmodo adds a human‑wildlife angle, describing how the loris has been “sneaking into people’s homes and gardens.” The New York Post frames the event with a sensational “unbelievable place” tagline. The Bangka slow loris occupies a unique niche as the world’s sole venomous primate, a fact that has long drawn scientific interest.

Prior to these reports, the last confirmed specimens dated back to the early 20th century, creating a de‑facto extinction assumption. The rediscovery therefore revives questions about the species’ true distribution and resilience. Future reporting will likely track formal surveys planned by Indonesian wildlife authorities and international researchers. Monitoring the frequency of human‑loris interactions in gardens and roads will be essential to assess risk to both people and animals. Follow‑up studies could also explore the venom’s composition, given its rarity among primates.