Slow loris has teeth pulled for selfies in Thailand

A severely injured male slow loris was discovered with no working teeth in Koh Samui last week. Photo / WFFT

Tourists visiting Thailand are urged not to take selfies with slow loris animals after one was found with his teeth ripped out.

Tourists visiting Thailand are being urged not to be tempted into getting selfies with slow lorises after one was found with his teeth ripped out.

The male bengal slow loris, who has since been named Boris Loris, was discovered in the busy Chaweng Beach area of Koh Samui last week.

Photo / WFFT

The area is popular with tourists and frequented by people using wild animals illegally as photo props.

Boris was taken to the WFFT Wildlife Rescue Centre in Phetchaburi, central Thailand, where vets were horrified to discover that not only had his teeth been both removed and clipped but he had also suffered a broken wrist and was covered in ticks.

Lorises are often captured from the wild using snares, which can maim and kill them. Experts believe that may explain the old wrist injury.

Meanwhile, Boris' teeth were clipped and removed so he couldn't injure tourists who pay for selfies with wild animals.

Lorises are the only truly venomous primate, and have a toxic bite that can cause severe injury and pain.

Tourists are keen to be photographed with the furry creatures, so they are maimed to prevent them from biting. Photo / WFFT

The spokesperson added: "Boris Loris now has some peace.

Boris the Loris will now lead a happier life. Photo / WFFT

"Due to his lack of teeth he will not be a candidate for release back to the wild but we will provide him with a more suitable existence here at the WFFT Wildlife Rescue Centre.

"He will be able to climb in the trees, receive a proper diet, mix with his own species, and never be handled by a tourist or a tourist tout ever again.

"Please do not support this illegal activity - any sighting of such activities can be reported to the authorities and ourselves."