Because slow lorises (Nycticebus spp.) adapt fairly well to habitats altered by humans, the wildlife trade is thought to be the most critical factor in their decline (Nekaris & Streicher, 2008).
Population Trend
Unknown/not recorded
Sub-national Level
Unknown/not recorded
Additional Details (if available)
This species is collected for use as pets, and the animals are sold throughout Southeast Asia (Nekaris and Bearder 2011; Nekaris and Nijman 2007). The teeth are often pulled, resulting in infection and/or death. If animals survive, lack of teeth makes reintroduction impossible.
Has the use of the species been recorded as resulting in changes to human health in this record?
Unknown/not recorded
Has the species in use been noted as being of particular disease risk to humans?
Unknown/not recorded
Has the use of the species resulted in changes to animal welfare in this record?
Yes, recorded as negative
Are there particular practices which have increased the risk to human or animal health or welfare in the use of this species?
Unknown/not recorded
Does the use of this species increase susceptibility to pathogen spread?
Unknown/not recorded
Detail of aspects of animal welfare affected
Medical records indicated that in total, 28.6% of the slow lorises died within the first 6 months, mostly due to traumatic injury, and all the infants died. The greatest sources of morbidity were external wounds (33.1% of 166 total medical events) and dental problems (19.3%). Of the surviving individuals, 25.4% displayed abnormal behavior.
The slow lorises were transported without access to food or water, and many were dehydrated upon rescue.The inability to grasp a substrate was likely a great source of distress for the slow lorises during transport and is also a source of stress for slow lorises kept as pets in unsuitable conditions; Forced social proximity to other slow lorises was likely another major source of injury and distress for the slow lorises during transport.
Grace Fuller, Wilhelmina Frederica Eggen, Wirdateti Wirdateti & K. A. I. Nekaris (2018) Welfare impacts of the illegal wildlife trade in a cohort of confiscated greater slow lorises, Nycticebus coucang, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 21:3, 224-238, DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2017.1393338
Medical records indicated that in total, 28.6% of the slow lorises died within the first 6 months, mostly due to traumatic injury, and all the infants died. The greatest sources of morbidity were external wounds (33.1% of 166 total medical events) and dental problems (19.3%). Of the surviving individuals, 25.4% displayed abnormal behavior.
We have provided medical and behavioral evidence showing that the illegal trade in slow lorises results in violations of welfare that physically and psychologically harm individuals.
Threats/pressures impacting the species at the scale of this record