4 more Tokay Geckos rescued
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 01 2012: The State police rescued at least four Tokay Geckos from the possession of a truck driver last night at Thoubal bazaar even as animal lovers of the district have sounded a red alert to check poaching and smuggling of the rare reptile species.

With Wednesday's seizure, the police have so far rescued at least 13 Geckos from different places in less than a week.

On Monday eight Geckos which were being reared by two individuals at Kamong village in Bishnupur district were rescued, while a Gecko rescued from Thoubal Bazaar on July 25, was released at Keibul Lamjao National Park in Bishnupur.

Tokay Gecko is in high demand in certain Asian countries including Malaysia for its reported medicinal value and a smuggler can easily make up to Rs 20 lakh for a Gekco weighing 200 grams and measuring 14 inches.

Managing trustee of the Thoubal district People For Animals (PFA) Lourembam Bishwajit Meitei said the eight Geckos rescued from Kamong village would be released by Manipur forest officials and PFA functionaries at Keibul Lamjao National Pary on tomorrow morning at 11 .

Incidentally the park located near the picturesque Loktak lake is the home to the rare Sangai.

Police commandos, who were on duty at Thoubal bazaar, found the four Geckos inside a wooden box on a truck last night around 11.30, police sources said adding that the driver was also pulled up.

"The rescued four Geckos along and the arrested truck driver were produced before a magistrate today afternoon," Bishwajit said.

"With the poachers switching over to the Geckos, we have alerted all our units across the State to immediately share any poaching and smuggling activities of the rare reptiles to the police for prompt action," he added.

It is learnt that some poor farmers in the valley districts are given baby Geckos by the smugglers for rearing in a clandestine manner.

When the species grow up, they are taken back by the smugglers after paying a huge amount of money to the farmers, he added.

Bishwajit said PFA would soon seek information officially about the exact medicinal value found in Tokay Gecko from the South East Asian office of the World Health Organization (WHO) .

On the other hand, the police have already launched a manhunt to nab the ring leaders of the million-rupee reptile business racket.

Renowned wildlife activist Khangembam Shamungou said that he reported the existence of Tokay Gecko in Jiribam sub-division bordering Assam in 1995 .

Though the Golden Gekco, which is reportedly found in South India, has been incorporated in Schedule I category, a list of endangered wild life animals of the country, Tokay Gekco is yet to be listed in any schedules prescribed by the Ministry of Forest and Environment.

"Despite being out of the scheduled categories, we should protect and preserve the Geckos," Shamungou, a retired Zoology lecturer said adding that Keibul Lamjao being a protected area the freed Gecko will live safely.

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