Saving the Slow Loris

cropped-logo_ie_99.jpg Issue #130

Social Media sensationalized the slow loris, and hopefully, it can save the endangered animal as well. Being adorable was its downfall, as videos and photos launched limelight the nocturnal primate could have well done without. Enormous dark eyes in a banded face with silky tan to sooty-toned fur ranked the slow loris high in the cuteness category. In 2009, a YouTube video of an engaging slow loris named Sonya, who raised her arms and stretched when tickled, went viral. Then, a year ago, pop singer Rihanna posed with the fuzzy primate and posted the pic on Instagram. The commercial photo booth, where the pic was taken, was raided and two lorises confiscated. This is the animal’s best hope in such circumstances, but ideally, the illegal trade should be shut down. Continue reading “Saving the Slow Loris”