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Rescued slow loris survives, in spite of being shot three times

22nd September 2010

Remi the slow loris about to undergo surgeryA female slow loris rescued in Jakarta and brought to our primate centre in Ciapus has been shot at least three times, apparently with a compressed air gun. IAR’s vet discovered the wounds and the bullets still lodged in her body while he was examining her and has expressed amazement that she is still alive and fighting to survive.

International Animal Rescue’s rescue team picked up the loris from her owner who claimed to have found her on the street. This is the story most local people come out with when they are caught in possession of an endangered species.

Xray showing the bullets lodged in Remi's bodyIAR’s vet, Ovidiu, reports that the loris, named Remi is in “pretty bad condition. There are two toes missing from one foot, with a laceration underneath the sole, and some other open wounds on the palms of both hands (finger bones open and quite a deep laceration on the other palm). There is also a big displacement of the mandibula, not to count the destruction of the teeth.”

It was when the little loris was being xrayed that the extent of her injuries was discovered. She had been shot at least three times and had three lead bullets lodged under the thoracic skin, beneath an armpit and the last in her cranium.The deviation of the mandibula, the scars and the missing fingers could all be a result of the blast of the bullet.

One question sprang instantly into the vet’s mind – how on the earth was the little loris still alive?

Remi also suffered damage to her jawbone and teethThe surgical team removed the thoracic bullet and tried to close the open wounds. They put the loris on antibiotics and analgesics. Her condition is now stable.

Remarkably, Remi is displaying an incredible will to live. She cannot eat whole fruits, but devours everything soft, including fruit-mix, by herself. Her foot and hand have been bandaged and because she isn’t at all aggressive, it is possible to change her dressings every day. The team believe it’s worth giving her a chance. If she recovers well, the vet will try to remove the other two bullets.

Alan Knight, Chief Executive of International Animal Rescue, said: “This is an appalling act of animal cruelty that has shocked us all. Remi deserves the chance to survive and we are going to give it to her. It will be touch and go, but she is in the best hands and our vets are doing all they can for her.”