Slow Loris: Ending the Tickling Video Trade

Slow lorises are among the most trafficked primates globally, driven largely by demand for "cute" videos online and the exotic pet trade — a demand that causes immense suffering at every stage of the supply chain.

Key Facts

All eight slow loris species are listed as Vulnerable to Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with the illegal wildlife trade being a primary threat
Slow lorises are nocturnal animals with highly specialised dietary needs — captive conditions are almost impossible to meet appropriately
The "tickling" behaviour shown in popular viral videos is actually a defensive posture — lorises raise their arms to access venom glands on their elbows when frightened
Before entering the pet trade, slow lorises have their teeth clipped or removed without anaesthesia — a severely painful procedure that prevents use of their venomous bite
Tooth removal leads to infection, malnutrition, and early death, as lorises require intact dentition for their specialist diet of tree gum, insects, and small vertebrates
A single viral video of a pet slow loris can generate thousands of inquiries to illegal wildlife traders within days of posting
Rescues of slow lorises from the pet trade have high mortality rates due to the severe welfare compromise before and during captivity

Welfare Considerations

The slow loris is a case study in how human affection for "cute" animals can cause enormous suffering. The viral appeal of loris videos — wide eyes, apparent docility, raised arms in the "tickling" videos — conceals a welfare catastrophe. Every slow loris in a video or in a home has been through capture trauma that kills family members, tooth amputation without anaesthesia, and confinement in completely inappropriate conditions. The apparent docility is not contentment but physiological shock and suppression. Most slow lorises in captivity die within years from nutritional deficiencies, infection from tooth wounds, and psychological deterioration. The connection between viewing and sharing this content and the continuation of this trade is direct and measurable.

What You Can Do

Never watch, like, or share slow loris videos on social media — engagement directly drives the illegal trade
Report slow loris content on social media platforms using their wildlife trafficking reporting tools
Never purchase a slow loris or any wild-caught primate as a pet
Support organisations including International Animal Rescue working on slow loris rescue and rehabilitation
Share factual information about slow loris welfare when you encounter misinformed content online
Support habitat conservation in Southeast Asia that protects slow loris wild populations from further decline