Two held over Rihanna loris photo

A man and a teenage boy have been charged with possessing a protected primate after pop star Rihanna posted a picture of herself online cuddling a loris in Phuket, Krathu district chief Veera Kerdsirimongkol says.

The singer posed with the tiny, large-eyed slow loris on a night out in the tourist resort of Phuket on Friday, posting a picture on Twitter and Instagram, apparently without realising that the use of endangered animals as a prop for tourist snaps is illegal.

The image generated outrage from animal lovers concerned about rampant exploitation of animals on the island.

After the Rihanna-with-loris picture went viral, Mr Veera ordered local officials to stake out Soi Bangla in the Patong area where the picture was believed to have been taken.

Watchara Thanapipatkul, 20, from Bangkok, and a 16-year-old, were arrested with two lorises aged between one to two years. Police said they were offering the animals as photo props for tourists.

They were charged with possessing protected animals, Mr Veera said, adding that the lorises have now been taken to a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Thalang district.

Rihanna's tweet on the selfie with the animal seemed to be an attempt at humour.

The star was in Phuket filming a music video. She filed numerous tweets and Instagram updates during her stay, including this one, which caused the controversy.

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