Lizard cocks sold as good luck charms

WILDLIFE investigators from India and Britain have uncovered an international fraud in which dried penises of lizards are being sold as a plant root regarded as a good luck charm and used in religious rituals.

The London-based group World Animal Protection (WAP) said the dried penises of Bengal monitor lizards and yellow monitor lizards look similar to a rare plant root sought by people who believe it brings good luck.

While the plant has disappeared from the Indian countryside, wildlife traffickers have been buying the dried lizard penises and selling them online.