Zoo Animals

Zoo Slow Loris Welfare and Trade Prevention

Slow lorises are victims of illegal wildlife trade despite being venomous and unsuitable as pets, and legitimate zoos play a role in welfare rescue and education.

Key Facts

All slow loris species are CITES Appendix I listed and trade is illegal
Videos of slow lorises being tickled have driven demand for them as pets
Pet slow lorises have teeth removed with wire cutters, causing pain and infection
Lorises in captivity require specialised diet and nocturnal conditions
Zoo slow loris programmes focus on rescue of confiscated individuals and public education

Welfare Considerations

Slow lorises suffer severely in the pet trade - from tooth removal, inappropriate diet, stress from handling, and daytime disturbance. Zoos housing rescued slow lorises must provide appropriate nocturnal, quiet, arboreal environments. The primary welfare intervention is reducing demand through education about their unsuitability as pets.

What You Can Do

Never share slow loris video content that romanticises keeping them as pets
Support anti-wildlife trade campaigns targeting slow loris demand
Donate to rescue centres housing confiscated slow lorises