Wild Slow Loris: Illegal Pet Trade Crisis

Slow lorises are illegally traded as pets after tooth removal, with the trade threatening wild populations and causing severe welfare harm.

Key Facts

All eight slow loris species are protected under CITES Appendix I, making trade illegal
They are the only venomous primates - their brachial gland secretion mixed with saliva can cause anaphylaxis
Pet trade dealers remove their teeth with wire cutters or nail clippers - a procedure causing infection and death
Viral videos of slow lorises being 'tickled' show a fear response, not pleasure as viewers assume
The raised arms posture in videos shows access of brachial gland for venom - not a cute wave
Captive slow lorises have extremely high mortality rates from inappropriate diet, temperature, and stress
International Animal Rescue and Little Fireface Project rescue and rehabilitate confiscated slow lorises

Welfare Considerations

Illegal pet trade causes multiple layers of welfare harm for slow lorises. Capture from the wild is traumatic. Tooth removal causes immediate pain, chronic infection, and starvation from inability to process food properly. Captivity in inappropriate environments causes metabolic bone disease, infection, and psychological deterioration. The viral video popularity directly drives demand - educating viewers that these are fear responses, not enjoyment, is a direct welfare intervention.

What You Can Do

Never share or like slow loris videos - viewing drives demand for the illegal pet trade
Report suspected slow loris sale or keeping to CITES authorities and wildlife crime officers
Support Little Fireface Project and International Animal Rescue slow loris conservation programs
Educate others about the welfare realities behind slow loris pet videos
Donate to slow loris research and habitat protection in Southeast Asian range countries
Learn to identify slow loris welfare emergency signs to report suspected keeping