Wildlife

Wild Slow Loris Illegal Pet Trade

Slow lorises are illegally traded as pets after their tooth clipping removes their venomous bite, causing severe welfare harm and population decline.

Key Facts

Slow lorises are the only venomous primates and tooth clipping to enable handling causes painful infections
They are strictly nocturnal and suffer from light exposure in social media videos
All slow loris species are CITES Appendix I listed and cannot be legally traded
The tickling videos widely shared online mask severe animal suffering

Welfare Considerations

Slow lorises in the pet trade experience extreme welfare harm including painful tooth removal, inappropriate captive conditions, and psychological distress. Social media sharing of tickling videos normalizes and drives demand for their illegal trade.

What You Can Do

Never share slow loris videos on social media as this drives illegal trade
Report suspected slow loris keeping to wildlife authorities
Support slow loris rehabilitation programs in southeast Asia
Educate others that tickling videos depict fear responses not pleasure