(7/13/2012)
The conservation group ProFauna Indonesia has called on the people of Bali to end the common local practice of consuming meat harvested from the carcasses of water monitor lizards.
As reported by Beritabali.com, ProFauna is concerned that the high level of consumption of the large lizards threatens the sustainability of the species.
The coordinator in Bali for ProFauna, Jatmiko Wiwoho, said that the demand for the meat of water monitors in Bali is so substantial that hundreds of lizards are being shipped to Bali each month from other parts of Indonesia, such as East Java.
“Based on the results of investigation carried out by the friends of ProFauna in East Java, there are hundreds of water monitor lizards being shipped each month to Bali,” explained Jatmiko.
Jatmiko Wiwoho blames the popularity of water monitor lizard meat on the mistaken belief that consumption of this product will cure skin diseases and respiratory illnesses. In fact, according to the ProFauna official, there is know known medical benefit from consuming the lizard’s meat.
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