22 - Mother–Infant Behaviours in Greater Slow Loris (Nycticebus coucang) Dyads Consisting of Mothers Pregnant at Confiscation and Their Sanctuary-Born Infants

Summary

Global trade in slow lorises (Nycticebus spp.) has risen precipitously in recent decades (Nijman et al., 2017), and slow lorises are poached for use as bushmeat, traditional medicine, photo props and pets (Nekaris et al., 2010b). The pet trade has been particularly lucrative since slow lorises became popular in ‘cute’ viral videos and photos on social media sites like YouTube (Nekaris et al., 2013a). International trade in the genus Nycticebus is prohibited by Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) (Nekaris and Nijman, 2007). Greater slow lorises (Nycticebus coucang) are also protected in Indonesia, but are still openly traded in large numbers in Indonesian wildlife markets (Shepherd, 2010). Effective enforcement of wildlife protection laws requires seizing and confiscating illegally traded animals. As a result, enforcement efforts increase the number of animals living in sanctuaries and rescue centres, which now are strained past capacity (Moore et al., 2014; Nekaris and Jaffe, 2007).