By Amy Reast via SWNS
A baby slow loris and her mother were rescued after they were found in bamboo due to be harvested.
A local bamboo farmer caught sight of the mother and her two-month-old baby in a forest in west Java, Indonesia, on February 28.
The cuddly pair were miles from where they would normally be found and at risk as the bamboo was being harvested in the area.
The animals are also classed as critically endangered owing to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.
Their ‘cute’ appearance means the animals often end up in markets or up for sale online as pets – after their teeth have been clipped off to make them easier to handle.
The combined rescue efforts of the Bogor Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) and International Animal Rescue’s Indonesian Partners (IARI), meant that these protected, precious animals were successfully evacuated.
They will soon be released into a safe conservation area where they can live happily.
Gavin Bruce, CEO of International Animal Rescue, says: “Thanks to the BKDSA and our IAR conserves programme, they had a narrow escape as we were alerted quickly.
“We were able to save this beautiful pair, and the mother and baby are doing well.
“We plan to release them into a protected conservation area.
“Sadly, this isn’t the case for all, as many of the slow lorises that are taken from the wild die from trauma before they are even sold on.
“Traders often clip their teeth out using pliers or nail clippers to make them easier to handle.
“Slow lorises are highly timid, nocturnal creatures.
“They are solitary wild primates completely unsuited to being around people and other animals or being kept as pets.”
