Scrolling through social media, you’ve probably come across them: videos of big-eyed slow lorises being tickled, eating with tiny utensils, or being dressed in cute outfits. These clips rack up millions of views and thousands of shares. But what seems like an adorable moment is actually hiding a troubling reality about wildlife exploitation – one that researchers at Oxford Brookes University decided to investigate.
When Ignorance Goes Viral
Most of us know very little about how wild animals naturally live. What do they eat? Are they nocturnal or diurnal? How do they socialize? With the incredible diversity of life on Earth, we can’t be expected to know everything about every species. However, this knowledge gap becomes dangerous when people purchase exotic animals without understanding their basic needs.
The problem multiplies when these pets appear in social media videos. Viewers who don’t know what healthy, natural slow loris behavior looks like can’t recognize signs of distress or poor welfare – and might even celebrate behaviors that indicate suffering.
The Research: Looking Beyond the “Cute”
Researchers analyzed 100 YouTube videos of pet slow lorises, evaluating their welfare based on the Five Freedoms – the fundamental principles for assessing animal wellbeing. These freedoms state that animals should be:
- Free from hunger and thirst
- Free from discomfort
- Free from pain, injury, or disease
- Free to express normal behavior
- Free from fear and distress
The Shocking Findings
The results were heartbreaking. Every single video analyzed showed at least one sign of compromised welfare. Even more disturbing, 31% of the lorises exhibited all five negative welfare conditions. These incredible primates were essentially suffering across every measure of wellbeing.
Common issues included:
- Obesity from inappropriate diets
- Injuries around their mouths from painful teeth removal
- Wounds from inappropriate housing or handling
- Signs of extreme stress during “cute” interactions
- Complete inability to express natural behaviors
The Social Media Effect
Perhaps the most troubling finding was that videos showing the worst welfare conditions often received the most likes and positive comments. This wasn’t because viewers were cruel – they simply couldn’t recognize the signs of distress. When we see a slow loris “raising its arms” during tickling, we might think it’s enjoying the interaction, when in fact, this is a fear response.
The Bigger Picture: Impact on Wild Populations
The popularity of these videos creates real-world consequences. When people see “cute” pet lorises online, the demand for exotic pets increases. This fuels wildlife trafficking, where lorises are captured from the wild, often transported in horrific conditions. Many don’t survive the journey, and those who do frequently have their teeth cruelly removed without anesthesia to make them “safer” as pets.
What Can We Do?
Understanding is the first step toward change. Before sharing any wildlife video, ask yourself:
- Is this animal in its natural habitat?
- Is it displaying natural behaviors?
- Could sharing this encourage illegal pet trade?
The best way to appreciate these fascinating primates is by learning about their natural behaviors and supporting conservation efforts that protect them in their native habitats. Slow lorises are incredible animals that deserve to live freely in their natural environments, not as social media stars.
Further Reading
Want to learn more about slow lorises and wildlife conservation? Check out these valuable resources:
- Nekaris, K.A.I. et al. (2015). Is Tickling Torture? Assessing Welfare towards Slow Lorises (Nycticebus spp.) within Web 2.0 Videos (article)
- Oxford Brookes University Nocturnal Primate Research Group
- TRAFFIC Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network
