Wildlife

Slow Loris Welfare and the Illegal Pet Trade

Slow lorises are the worlds only venomous primates, suffering severely from tooth clipping in the pet trade and from inappropriate captive care.

Key Facts

All slow loris species are Appendix I protected under CITES
Pet trade videos of slow lorises being tickled went viral, driving demand
Tooth clipping to remove venom glands is performed without anaesthetic causing infection
Captive slow lorises require specific diets and nocturnal conditions rarely met by owners
The viral videos depicted animals showing fear responses misidentified as enjoyment

Welfare Considerations

Tooth clipping removes the venom delivery system causing chronic infection, malnutrition as gum disease develops, and inability to eat properly. Animals in the pet trade are captured from the wild, separated from family groups, transported in cruel conditions with high mortality. Captive animals denied appropriate nocturnal conditions and complex diets develop severe health problems. The viral tickling videos show stressed animals raising arms in a defensive posture.

What You Can Do

Never share, like, or engage with slow loris pet trade content online
Report suspected slow loris pet trade to wildlife authorities
Donate to International Animal Rescue slow loris programs
Support law enforcement against slow loris traffickers
Engage with social media platforms on removing content promoting wildlife trafficking