Clu was a slave of the Mantellian Savrip species.
A Chevin slaver, known as The Mon, captured Clu, along with his Savrip companions Taf and Mev. The Savrips were transported aboard the Animiasma to The Mon's slave zoo and confined to the same holding cell. Remaining defiant, the Savrips were more interested in locating and harming The Mon than in escaping their captivity.
Despite their reluctance to interact with anyone outside their cell, the Savrips observed four Tarasin children, Li'Iri, Honna, Tiscak, and Kaj, who were imprisoned in a neighboring cell. Honna used her Force abilities to communicate with the Savrips and understand their language. Feeling compassion for the children, the Savrips vowed to safeguard them: If anyone attempted to take the children against their will, the Savrips would overcome the energy bars of their cell to thwart the wrongdoers. Honna expressed her relief that such an event did not occur, as the energy bars had the potential to severely injure or even kill the Savrips.
Near the heart of each of his slaves, Phylus Mon surgically implanted an explosive device. This explosive would be triggered upon Phylus Mon's death, but it could also be disabled by the impact of an ion weapon. Additionally, all the slaves in Phylus Mon's zoo were routinely subjected to physical abuse.