MONITOR LIZARD SEX ORGAN TRAFFICKING RACKET BUSTED

With the arrest of five people, including a priest of a famous temple, a special task force of the Madhya Pradesh forest department claimed to have busted a racket involved in trafficking of sex organs of monitor lizard, listed as endangered species under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

As many as 68 pieces of genital parts of the reptile species have been seized from their possessions during raids conducted at different locations in Indore and Khargone districts, according to additional principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) (wildlife) R.P. Singh. “The sex organs of monitor lizards, known as genus varanus in zoological term, have been sold as aphrodisiacs to gullible customers by poachers.

There is no scientific reason to establish that the genital of monitor lizard acts as an aphrodisiac, but the poachers misguide their customers by giving a false impression that it is a sex booster and also a lucky charm which brings prosperity to its owners,” Mr Singh said.