New, small, hairy inhabitant of the Seychelles

Press release from 24.03.2018

From invasive creepers and geckos to turtles, hairy caterpillars and black fungus gnats and whiteflies, the country has seen some of the threats to a fragile ecosystem in recent years.
The newest, a bush baby, is a small nocturnal primate the size of a small cat, with a long bushy tail and large glowing eyes when the light is reflected. Their natural habits are in very dense areas with water sources. They eat insects, but mostly fruits, vegetables and plants.

24.03.2018

Seychellen.com

Author:
Karl Schnürch

Source:
Own research
Seychelles.digital

TODAY in Seychelles

According to Keven Nancy, the Chief Plant Bio-Security Officer of the National Biosecurity Agency (NBA), they are now trying to use a more coordinated approach with the help of other key partners such as the Department of Risk and Disasters Management (DRDM), the Department of Health (PHA), the Department of the Environment, the veterinary services, the Port Authority and the police to catch what is considered a "bigger bush baby" (monkey).

It is suspected that the stowaway from Zanzibar travelled to the Seychelles on board a cargo ship, just as in a similar incident last year, with the only difference that last year was easily contained, as reported in time by the captain of the ship; he was still on board the ship that had docked outside the ports.

Mr Nancy said that they react to any sightings of the animal that are reported to them to show that they are proactive in this situation and are doing their utmost to catch the creature. However, so far all attempts to catch this small creature have been impractical and in vain, although they have set up traps with bait and search teams have been sent out to search for the animal in the aforementioned sightings.

The first sighting of the creature took place in the harbours and there the search team started their operations. Searches were carried out in the areas where the creature had been sighted - this included Mont Fleuri Secondary School after students reported seeing the creature in a tree, but without success. Another search was conducted last night near Bois de Rose.

Although the public is asked to report to the NBA and provide information by calling Greenline 272 2111, they are advised not to seize the animal with their own means; this is to prevent any contact with the creature as its health status has not yet been determined. Primates are closest to the human species, which means that their bodies function in the same way as we do. Therefore, if this creature is a carrier of bacteria, viruses or parasites, the risk of disease transmission from animal to human is very likely high.

Health risks posed by this creature are currently the most critical aspect for the authorities, as well as the fact that there is still no way of knowing whether the creature is male or female and whether the probability of pregnancy is high. The authorities have said that after exhausting all possible ways to capture the creature, their last solution will be to kill the creature, especially if it becomes hostile. The authorities appeal to the public to take this matter very seriously and to avoid using memes in the social media to spread rumors about the location of the creature, which has been nicknamed "King Julian".

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