Slow Loris Rescue and Rehabilitation Welfare

Slow lorises are illegally traded primates whose viral internet popularity has driven demand for the exotic pet trade - rescue and rehabilitation face significant welfare challenges.

Key Facts

Slow lorises (Nycticebus spp.) are nocturnal, venomous primates native to South and Southeast Asia
All slow loris species are CITES Appendix I protected - international trade is banned but illegal trade continues driven by viral videos
Trafficked slow lorises have their teeth clipped to prevent venomous bites - causing infection, inability to eat normally and often death
Rehabilitation success is low - captivity-adapted lorises often cannot be released successfully due to behavioural and physical damage
Little Fireface Project in Indonesia leads rescue, rehabilitation and community education for slow loris conservation

Welfare Considerations

Slow loris welfare in the exotic pet trade is catastrophic - tooth clipping causes infection and death, inappropriate diets cause metabolic disease, and the social and nocturnal needs of this species cannot be met in typical households. Videos of 'cute' slow lorises being tickled or appearing to raise their arms (actually a fear response, not enjoyment) drive demand that kills thousands of animals annually. Rescue animals face further welfare challenges in rehabilitation - their behavioural needs are complex, rehabilitation is difficult, and success rates are low. The most effective welfare intervention is demand reduction through public education about what these videos actually show - fear, pain and illegal trade.

What You Can Do

Never share or engage positively with slow loris pet videos - report them to the platform as illegal wildlife content
Support Little Fireface Project's conservation and community education work in Indonesia
Educate friends and family that slow lorises in videos are showing fear, not enjoyment
Report suspected slow loris sales to TRAFFIC and local wildlife crime enforcement