Welfare of Wild Animals in the Wildlife Trade Driven by Social Media

Social media platforms have amplified demand for exotic animals as pets and entertainment props, driving welfare-damaging trade in species from slow lorises to otters to hedgehogs.

Key Facts

Videos of slow lorises being tickled on social media increased demand for the illegal slow loris pet trade dramatically
Slow lorises have their teeth removed for safe handling — a painful procedure that often leads to infection and death
Otter cafes in Japan and South Korea have driven demand for Asian small-clawed otters, a species that suffers severely in captivity
Instagram and TikTok content featuring exotic pet animals normalizes ownership of unsuitable species
Platform policies on wildlife trade content have improved but enforcement remains weak

Welfare Considerations

Social media has become a major driver of demand for exotic animals as pets and entertainment props. A viral video of a tickled slow loris or a child cuddling an otter in a cafe generates thousands of desire responses that translate into demand for animals who will suffer in captivity. The platforms that host this content have both the capability and the responsibility to enforce existing policies against wildlife trade promotion more aggressively. Individual viewers can break the demand chain by reporting wildlife content that promotes harmful interactions.

What You Can Do

Never share or engage positively with social media content featuring exotic animals in inappropriate situations
Report social media content that promotes exotic pet ownership or wildlife interaction tourism
Support campaigns pressuring social media platforms to enforce wildlife trade content policies
Educate friends and family about how engaging with exotic animal content drives harmful demand