31 spiny-tailed lizards seized in Jaisalmer, poachers escape

Jaisalmer: Forest department officials recovered 31 spiny tailed lizards in a semi-dead condition near Desert National Park in Sam area of Jaisalmer district on Friday. The backs of these lizards were broken by two armed poachers who fled, said officials.
Wildlife conservationist Radheshyam Pemani said he rushed to Hamiron ki Basti area after getting information of the poachers’ activities, but they had run away before his arrival. He informed the forest department and soon a team of officials arrived and started searching for the poachers. Jaisalmer DFO GK Verma said efforts are on to arrest the poachers.
Pemani said poaching of these lizards has increased due to the huge demand for their oil abroad. The spiny tailed lizards are kept on fire in a semi-dead condition and their oil is extracted to be sent abroad, he said. “Hundreds of these lizards, found in the desert areas of Jaisalmer district, are killed every year due to the unsubstantiated claims that their oil and meat work as an aphrodisiac. Poachers break the backs of these lizards so that they do not run away. Then they sell their meat and oil at a high price. Police and the forest department must take stringent action against the poachers,” said wildlife specialist Parth Jagani.
Four poachers were arrested for the poaching of 19 spiny tailed lizards near the field firing range of the Army in Pokaran area on July 26.