India: Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel seized two endangered lizard species specimens and arrested two persons from Kishanganj, close to the Indo-Bangladesh border, on Thursday evening.

An SSB team led by assistant commandant Rajiv Rana intercepted Tarachand Oraon near the border. They were carrying two live Tokay Geckos in a gunny bag, to be smuggled into China through Nepal. Rana, the assistant commandant of the 14th battalion, said the two were promised a hefty sum for the Geckos, in great demand in China for use in preparing alternative medicines.

"The price of the endangered animal depends on its size and weight," said the assistant commandant.

Both Tarachand and Robin told interrogators smuggling of Tokay Gecko was going on unabated on the border, mainly from Bengal's Naxalbari and Panitanki areas. The assistant commandant said the seized lizards were later handed over to forest officials. The SSB personnel, who mainly guard the nation's border with Nepal, said Friday's operation was one of many seizures made in the past in the region. Geckos are listed under Schedule III of WildLife Protection Act, 1972, as highly endangered animal.

(Source: The Telegraph)