Companion Animals

Slow Loris: The Illegal Pet Trade Crisis

Slow lorises are among the most trafficked primates, driven by social media videos and demand for exotic pets, despite being protected under international law and suffering severely in trade.

Key Facts

All eight slow loris species are listed as Vulnerable to Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List
Slow lorises have a venomous bite — their teeth are clipped in the pet trade, causing infection and death
Videos of slow lorises being tickled show animals in extreme distress, not enjoyment
The upraised arms shown in videos are a defensive posture for accessing venom glands
Slow lorises require specific diets and social structures that captivity cannot provide

Welfare Considerations

The slow loris pet trade is sustained by a profound misconception — videos presented as cute show animals in extreme distress. The tickling shown triggers a defensive response. Tooth clipping to prevent bites causes fatal infections in most traded animals within months. Slow lorises are wild animals with complex social and dietary needs that cannot be met in domestic settings. The trade is both illegal and causes predictable, severe suffering to every animal involved.

What You Can Do

Report slow loris videos on social media platforms as illegal wildlife content
Never share or engage positively with slow loris pet content — engagement drives demand
Donate to organizations combating the illegal primate trade in Southeast Asia
Support stronger enforcement of CITES protections for slow lorises
Educate others about why slow loris videos represent animal cruelty not cuteness