Japan is one of the worst developed countries for the importing of exotic pets, including the threatened species of slow lorises. These small primates usually have their teeth painfully ripped out by animal traffickers, and are not well-suited to captivity or the foods available outside their native habitat. The keeping of lorises as pets is both cruel and likely to lead to their extinction.
Dear Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda,
We are writing you out of concern for the popular importation, both legal and illegal, of exotic pets, in particular the several species of slow loris. Japanese citizens find them cute and cuddly like teddy bears, but unfortunately it is difficult for them to receive the proper food, they tend to experience depression and sickness in captivity, and their teeth are ripped out by animal traffickers and pet shop suppliers.
We're asking you to put an immediate ban on the importing of all primates for private pet purposes, and better screening methods in order to stop smugglers. This barbaric practice is unseemly, and Japan is far better than this.
Thank you so much for your time.
Joel Boyce, Care2 author, and animal lovers everywhere
