Wildlife

Slow Loris Welfare and the Illegal Pet Trade

Slow lorises are illegally traded as pets, causing severe welfare harms including tooth clipping and psychological distress.

Key Facts

Slow lorises are the only venomous primates
Their teeth are clipped before sale to prevent bites, causing infection and death
Nocturnal animals, they suffer stress under bright lights for viral videos
All slow loris species are protected under CITES Appendix I
The 'cute' pet videos online drive illegal demand

Welfare Considerations

Tooth clipping without anaesthesia causes extreme pain and almost always leads to fatal septicaemia. Transport conditions are harsh. Captivity deprives these specialised primates of their complex natural behaviours. The viral video industry perpetuates suffering by normalising illegal ownership. Most lorises die within months of capture.

What You Can Do

Never share or like slow loris pet videos online
Report suspected illegal trade to TRAFFIC and local authorities
Support Little Fireface Project and other slow loris conservation NGOs
Advocate for stronger social media policies against wildlife trafficking
Educate others about the suffering behind 'cute' wildlife videos