Spiny-tailed Lizards in India's illegal wildlife trade

Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard Saara hardwickii, one of more than 230 lizard species found in India, has been a silent victim of illicit wildlife trade activities for too long. This herbivorous, solitary, burrow-dwelling reptile, found in the arid and semi-arid regions of north-western India, is targeted for its meat which is consumed as a delicacy by locals and for the oil obtained from its skin and tail that is sold as a cure for various ailments.

Designed primarily for the enforcement agencies and the general public, this new factsheet aims to clear misconceptions about the species and its illicit use while raising concerns about its growing threats.

Creating awareness on the Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard is a step towards its protection and conservation. This species is under threat, and the gradual depletion of its numbers will lead to long-term negative effects. We hope to lead on the message of its conservation."

Mr Ravi Singh, Secretary General & CEO, WWF-IndiaThe Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard is listed in Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits its hunting, trade or any other form of exploitation. It is locally extinct in Uttar Pradesh, and the population in Madhya Pradesh is declining. Presently, the species is primarily restricted to the desert regions of northwest India.

Despite the legal protection, the Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard is targeted by poachers and wildlife traffickers across its range in India. Rajasthan has emerged as a central hub for poaching and trading of the Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard from where derivatives (such as oil) are smuggled to Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, New Delhi, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.

Live Indian Spiny-tailed Lizards have been found in seizures reported at Desert National Park in Rajasthan. Other seizures of both live and dead lizards and their products have been reported in Bangalore (Karnataka) and Mumbai (Maharashtra). Both locations are outside the species' natural range, indicating that the demand for its product is driving its trafficking.

TRAFFIC's new factsheet higlights that besides the illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss and alteration mainly due to urbanisation, canal irrigation, afforestation, agricultural expansion, and large-scale infrastructure projects also pose a significant threat to the future of the Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard.

Too often, the limelight is put on charismatic wildlife species, pulling most conservation efforts towards them. It is crucial to pay attention to many lesser-known, yet ecologically important wildlife species, like the Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard, that are often heavily trafficked, before they become extinct in the wild."

Dr Merwyn Fernandes, Coordinator, TRAFFIC's India Office