(IN) Monitor lizard

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Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad

 

Lizard awaits rehabilitation

 

Swathi.V

 

The endangered monitor lizard, hunted in scores for its meat and

leather, becomes especially vulnerable during monsoon

 

Monitor lizard

 

HYDERABAD: The three-foot long creature prefers darkness, writhes in

pain when moved out, and once brought into light, stays motionless

for a long time.

Enduring four broken legs, the monitor lizard rescued by the Sahyog

Organisation on Sunday patiently awaits its journey to the transit

home.

It might have been the favourite pet of Maratha fighter clans and

etched an everlasting presence in the family name of one of them

(`Ghorpade'), but its present status hardly inspires envy.

The endangered reptile hunted in scores for its meat and leather

becomes especially vulnerable during monsoons.

" After summer aestivation, they come out in search of food and get

caught by poachers, " says Mahesh Agarwal of `Sahyog' which has

rescued the season's first monitor lizard from Medipally near

Toopran, supposedly a transit point of illegal smuggling.

Monitor lizard, also known as `udumu' in Telugu, is poached for its

meat that is widely believed to enhance sexual prowess. Oily

extraction obtained through boiling the reptile is believed to ease

arthritic pains even though these beliefs have no scientific credence.

" The lizard houses 23 different kinds of bacteria in its mouth and is

unfit for human consumption. In fact, those staying inside the

graveyards prey on the flesh, " says Giridhar Gopal from Bharateeya

Pranimitra Sangh.

Poachers use dogs to spot a lizard inside a burrow. After digging it

out, they break its legs and spine to make it immobile. Packed in

gunny bags, they are transported to sale points and hectic trading in

thousands of lizards is done, Mr. Agarwal says.

" They are sold at Rs.1,200 to Rs.1, 400 each and their meat served

in `dhabhas' fetches Rs. 500 per plate, " says Mr. Agarwal.

They are also illegally smuggled to places such as Bangladesh, Nepal

and Pakistan. Bade Chowdi, Erragadda, Lingampalli, Kothapet,

Mangalhat, and Nanakramguda are the main points of sale apart from

the weekly markets held in suburbs.

To protect a lizard in risk, one may call Mr. Agarwal at 92461 75600.

 

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