Library:Tickled to Death: Analysing Public Perceptions of ‘Cute’ Videos of Threatened Species (Slow Lorises – Nycticebus spp.) on Web 2.0 Sites (research)
Tickled to Death: Analysing Public Perceptions of ‘Cute’ Videos of Threatened Species (Slow Lorises – Nycticebus spp.) on Web 2.0 Sites is a research article published in PLOS ONE in 2013 by Nekaris et al. The article examines the impact of viral YouTube videos of slow lorises, a group of threatened primates, on public awareness and attitudes towards their conservation and illegal pet trade. The article uses content analysis of comments posted on a popular video of a slow loris being tickled to quantify the changes in viewers’ knowledge and opinions over time. It also discusses the role of celebrity endorsements, media events, and Web 2.0 technologies in influencing public perceptions of wildlife trade. The article aims to provide data and recommendations for better regulation and education on media sharing websites that show protected species in illegal situations.
Key points
- Introduction: The authors examine the impact of Web 2.0 sites, especially YouTube, on public perceptions of threatened species, using slow lorises as a case study.
- Slow lorises: Slow lorises are small nocturnal primates that are threatened by habitat loss, traditional medicine, and pet trade. They are protected by CITES and national laws, but illegal trade persists.
- Tickling slow loris video: The authors analyse the comments posted on a viral YouTube video of a slow loris being tickled, which portrays the animal as a cute and harmless pet.
- Research questions: The authors address three key questions:
- Do Web 2.0 resources increase public awareness of conservation issues facing slow lorises?
- Do YouTube videos of illegal slow loris pets incite the public’s desire to purchase one?
- Can celebrities’ endorsements of slow loris videos impact public viewing of the videos?
- Threats: The Javan slow loris faces threats from habitat loss, illegal pet trade, and traditional medicine. It is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List.
- Trade: The Javan slow loris is one of the most traded primates in Southeast Asia, despite being protected by national and international laws. It is often sold online or in markets as a pet or a medicinal product .
- Awareness: The Javan slow loris has gained popularity and sympathy through social media and YouTube videos, but this may also increase the demand and misinformation about the species. Some videos show the loris being tickled, which is actually a sign of distress.
- Conservation: The Javan slow loris needs urgent conservation actions, such as habitat protection, law enforcement, public education, and rescue and rehabilitation programs. Some organizations and researchers are working to save the species from extinction.