Monitor Lizards and Swiftlets Now Protected for Commercial Use

[snoop1130]

 

The Wildlife Conservation and Protection Committee has announced a significant change by reclassifying monitor lizards, Germain’s swiftlets, and Black-nest swiftlets as protected species. This allows them to be raised and harvested commercially, a move that could impact both conservation efforts and local economies.

 

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has now added the monitor lizard to a list of 62 protected species that can be bred for commercial purposes. Known for its hide's durability and delicate patterns, the monitor lizard's skin is highly valued in the leather industry.

 

Following the reclassification, individuals interested in raising these species must seek permission from the department. Kasetsart University provides guidance, drawing from its research on the cultivation and marketing of monitor lizards, commonly found in watercourses.

 

The department is also crafting a report on optimal locations for farming these species, anticipating its release within six months. Meanwhile, monitor lizard populations have surged in areas like Bangkok's Lumpini Park, despite their protected status prohibiting hunting for food, traditional medicine, and leather.

 

Possession of protected wildlife remains illegal, carrying severe penalties of up to ten years' imprisonment or fines reaching one million baht. The reclassification aims to balance protection with economic incentives by allowing regulated commercial use.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-11-05

 

 

[SingAPorn]

So after the snakes that jut out of toilets and bite people, now we will end up with these dragons chasing and biting people all over the streets ?