International Animal Rescue – Slow Loris Sanctuary.

The slow loris in Indonesia is in serious danger of extinction and the greatest threat to its survival is the illegal trade in wildlife. Its huge brown eyes and soft fur make this small nocturnal primate highly prized as a pet and the victim of an online craze created by videos on YouTube.

Thousands of slow lorises are poached from the wild and illegally sold on the street or in animal markets.

The lorises’ teeth are clipped off by the traders to make them easy to handle, resulting in the death of many of them from blood loss or infection before they are sold. International Animal Rescue runs the only slow loris rescue and rehabilitation centre in Indonesia. 

At their facility in Ciapus, Java they provide specialist treatment and care for slow lorises confiscated from the markets or surrendered by their owners.

The goal is to return as many slow lorises to the wild as possible. However, many of them have had their teeth cut out and may no longer be able to fend for themselves. Veterinary dental specialists are helping to determine whether these teeth can be repaired or replaced. The centre provides a permanent home for lorises that can never be released.

Working closely with universities and scientists, they are also carrying out research into successful rehabilitation and reintroduction programmes for slow lorises. A number of lorises with their teeth intact have been released wearing radio collars and are being closely monitored by the team.

The centre also work closely with local authorities and the police to catch wildlife traffickers and dealers and bring them to court. Education of local communities and better law enforcement are vital if this endangered primate is to stand a chance of survival.

For more information, please visit the following link: 
http://www.internationalanimalrescue.org/slow-loris-sanctuary