Primates

Slow Loris Welfare: Viral Videos and the Exotic Pet Trade

Slow lorises became internet sensations through viral videos, driving demand for an illegal exotic pet trade that causes severe suffering.

Key Facts

Slow lorises have teeth removed with nail clippers or wire cutters without anesthesia for the pet trade
They are venomous primates; the cute tickling videos show stress responses, not happiness
All eight slow loris species are listed on CITES Appendix I — the highest protection level
Anna Nekaris of the Little Fireface Project has led international slow loris protection campaigns
Lorises die rapidly in captivity from stress, dental infection, and metabolic disease

Welfare Considerations

The teeth-clipping performed on pet lorises without anesthesia causes immediate severe pain and leads to chronic infection that is often fatal. The raised arms in viral tickling videos are a stress response reaching for venom glands, not an enjoyment gesture. Lorises in captivity die from inadequate UV light (metabolic bone disease), stress, dental infection, and inappropriate diets. The entire slow loris pet trade is predicated on causing suffering.

What You Can Do

Never share or like slow loris tickling or similar exotic pet videos
Report slow loris trafficking content to social media platforms
Donate to the Little Fireface Project slow loris conservation and education programs
Advocate for social media platform policies prohibiting exotic pet trade promotion
Support CITES enforcement capacity in slow loris range countries