But, in a rare turn of events, an attempt was made by two persons, on 2 February 2014, to sell a crocodile gecko, believed to have been caught from a protected forest, in close proximity to Matara and Kamburupitiya, for Rs 2.5 million.
The crocodile gecko (Hemidactylusdepressus) an endemic species is also known as the Kandyan gecko and Ali Huna. It is listed as endangered and a very rare species in the 2012'Red List of Threatened Fauna and Flora of Sri Lanka.
It is however believed that there is a high demand for these geckos in the foreign market for their genes and for medicinal purposes.
The two persons who attempted to sell the crocodile gecko were arrested by the Walana police and produced in the Matara Magistrate's court on 3 February 2014.
The incident came to light when a team, comprising Neth FM officials, went in the guise of a buyer and a dealer and with the help of the Walana police apprehended the suspects.
"This illegal racket, of selling geckos at exorbitant prices, has been going on for some time. On inquiry we found that in Matara there were some geckos for sale," says Neth FM Balumgala team leader, Producer and Director Suresh Rangana.
He went on to say that they were told by those engaged in this illegal r
"We were told to come to Matara by 9:00 a.m. Once we got to Matara we were told to go 2 km past the Kamburupitiya town and wait for them. However, we stopped our vehicle 2 km before the Kamburupitiya town. But we didn't realise that one of the suspects was already waiting for us at the Kamburupitiya town," Rangana noted.
He added that the suspect had been observing their movements and their mannerism to see if they were genuine buyers or had come in disguise to expose their racket.
"We were kept waiting from 10a.m. to 5p.m. At 5p.m. the suspects showed us the gecko that was brought in a toffee bottle. The reptile was around seven inches long, had reddish eyes and seven black lines on the tail," Rangana explained.
The suspects had told Rangana and the rest of the team that the selling price of the reptile was Rs 2.5 million and that the gecko was very expensive because it is a highly poisonous reptile species.
"They told us that if a lunch sheet was put over the crocodile gecko's body, the sheet would melt due to the strong poison. The suspects also said that if a person touches the body of the reptile they would die within an hour due to the poisonous substances," Rangana said.
Scientist Pradeep Samarawickrama identified this species as the Kandyan gecko and said all gecko species so far discovered in Sri Lanka are not poisonous.
Rangana bargained with them and brought down the price to Rs 1.2 million. When he told the suspects that he was interested in buying more geckos another gecko, of 250 grams in weight and 14 inches in length, was offered for Rs 10 million.
"But they never showed us that gecko. The suspects told us that their collectors had gone to collect wallapatta and that if we could wait till around 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. they could supply us with another four geckos. They said they catch the geckos from a protected forest and it takes about four days to catch one reptile," Rangana noted.
Environment lawyer Jagath Gunewardene said according to Section 30 of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO) all species of gecko in the country are protected.
"A person who attempts to capture, sell and has in possession these gecko species can be taken into custody according to the law and a fine of up to Rs 50,000 can be imposed as a penalty depending on the offences committed.
Rangana meanwhile added that the normal procedure is to delay the buyers in the hope that if they are undercover people they will get fed up and leave before the deal is complete.
"We were then told to come past the Walana police station and 200 meters towards Matara and wait for them near the welyaya. The two persons brought the gecko and even offered to sell us some wallapatta.
One suspect was about 35 years old and from the Horana area, while the other was a 35-year-old school teacher from Matara.
When the money transaction was about to take place the Walana police apprehended the two suspects. The Matara Magistrate's Court allowed personal bail in Rs 500,000 each on the two suspects. The gecko was handed over to the National Zoological Gardens Dehiwela on the orders of the Magistrate.
The police team, led by OIC Duminda Balasuriya, comprised SI Karunaratne, PC Prabuddha and PC Jayalal. The operation was conducted on the instructions of Neth FM Current Affairs Senior Manager Nilupa Sanjaya and Assistant Manager Charith Suddarachchi.
"The social activism by the media of going beyond their usual role of exposing these culprits is truly praise worthy on their part," Gunewardene said.
Source:http://www.ceylontoday.lk/51-55498-news-detail-crocodile-gecko-racket-busted-in-undercover-operation.html
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