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Hunt for geckos: Malaysians believe – wrongly – they treat impotence and AIDS
This belief, contradicted by official and medical sources, feed a flourishing trade in reptiles in Southeast Asia, and up in Japan. It endangers the survival of the species.
Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Tokay Geckos are in danger of extinction, because of a hunt unleashed by the conviction that they can have aphrodisiac effects, and above all, that they may be helpful in treating a number of diseases: asthma, cancer and even HIV. Customers in this market are Chinese, Japanese and Malaysians. The raw material is sought everywhere: roofs, cracks in the walls, bushes. And since the price for a gecko has jumped to 1.000 Rm (240 euros) increasing numbers of people are venturing into dangerous territory to capture them. A Malaysian Mohammad Nasaruddin Bensaidin, recently went on the hunt for the geckos of the Philippines, and was kidnapped by a dozen armed men.
The Tokay, also called Tuko or Tekek are traded at spiralling prices. A rumour, which proved unfounded, said that the World Health Organization (WHO) had issued letters of authorization allowing merchants to capture geckos for the healing qualities of the reptile. And there is also an industrial aspect: in the villages of Malaysia enterprising people have started breeding geckos. But since they are becoming scarce in Malaysia, the hunt is now on in Thailand and the Philippines. But the direction of the National parks, which also protects the wild animals, said that under the new law of 2010, raising, trading and owning geckos require a license.
According to blogs and rumours – all since proved unfounded – the geckos’ tongue and internal organs have miraculous healing potential, curing impotence and HIV. But medical sources say that these statements "are indicative of a sophisticated scam", and the Philippine government has warned geckos cannot be used to treat AIDS, or impotence and may put patients at risk. And in Malaysia alone there are dozens of websites that cover this trade. The carcasses of reptiles are dried, pulverized and dissolved in the liquid, Tokay added to wine or whiskey for an increase in energy.