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Malaysian Monitor Lizards Out of the Cooking Pot
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by Karenke4 | January 14, 2009 at 03:48 pm
544 views | 14 Recommendations | 5 comments
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There were 2,300 Malaysian monitor lizards rescued from a storage warehouse in Kuala Lumpur. The 5 foot long lizards are often bought and cooked in exotic foods restaurants around Asia, even though they are illegal to hunt or kill.
The clouded monitor lizards were found in cages at a storage facility holding live and dead animals that were destined for cooking pots in Malaysia and abroad, said an official with the state wildlife department.
The lizards were found in cages alongside other exotic animals, both dead and alive, including owls and the paws of the Sun Bear, a protected species as well.
Three men were arrested at the location and will likely be charged with confining wild animals, which carries a maximum prison term of three years.
Activists have warned that the illegal trade of endangered animals is flourishing in Malaysia because of demand from restaurants in Asian nations where exotic meat dishes are prized.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (5)
at 16:17 on January 14th, 2009
They should get more than three years - ths is sick.
at 16:44 on January 14th, 2009
This friendly monitor lizard was wandering about in the area where divers take their lunch breaks on Sipadan Island, Sabah, East Malaysia.
robertpba has contributed a photo to this story.
at 01:31 on January 15th, 2009
This is good news, Maybe we should let the Lizards free and cage humans in stead.
Would do the environment a lot of good.
at 06:47 on January 15th, 2009
The 4 foot long monitor lizard in my photo was freely wandering around in Cherating, east Malaysia. They are rather common there and, fortunately, usually tolerated by people (as long as you don't try to catch them, they absolutely do no harm).
I really hope Malaysia manages to protect its wonderful wildlife and forests.
Duke LeNoir has contributed a photo to this story.
at 09:05 on January 16th, 2009
These monitor lizards were photographed on the Perhentian Islands, off Malaysia's North East coast. See more images of Malaysia at: http://www.jeremiahhill.com/malaysia-singapore_gallery.html