Pygmy Slow Loris

In Vietnamese folklore, pygmy slow lorises are called “khi gio” or “monkeys that move with the wind”. They are considered a sign of bad luck and are used for black magic. Pygmy slow lorises have modified sweat glands near their elbows, enabling them to produce a toxin. By licking these toxic secretions, their bite also becomes toxic and dangerous for humans.

Pygmy slow lorises are used for medicinal purposes in Cambodia, where they are roasted, dried and processed into medicines. Deforestation is also threatening the species’ survival. During the Vietnam War, slow pygmy loris populations declined significantly due to bombing, clearing and the use of chemical agents, destroying much of their natural habitat in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.