Wildlife Conservation

Wild Slow Loris Illegal Pet Trade

Slow lorises are illegally sold as pets despite being venomous, highly stressed in captivity, and experiencing severe welfare impacts from the trade.

Key Facts

All slow loris species are protected under CITES Appendix I
Teeth are often removed before sale, causing chronic pain and infection
Videos of slow lorises being tickled went viral, dramatically increasing demand
Slow lorises die rapidly in captivity from metabolic disease and stress

Welfare Considerations

Slow lorises removed from the wild for the pet trade suffer multiple welfare insults including tooth removal by wire cutters with no analgesia, transport stress, dietary deficiencies, and constant exposure to human contact. Their body language showing apparent contentment is actually a freeze response to fear. The viral spread of slow loris pet videos directly fuels demand and suffering.

What You Can Do

Never share videos showing slow lorises as pets or entertainment
Report suspected slow loris trading to wildlife crime authorities
Support organizations combating the slow loris illegal pet trade
Educate others about why slow loris ownership causes immense suffering