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| Wazzaaaaap?! |
Lacking the motivation to study, and also because my body clock seems to be in an irregular state of functioning, I decided to check on my e-mails and possibly go trolling in social networking sites (Refer to my previous post. Trolling brightens up my mood). Suddenly, a friend of mine messaged me and started asking questions about a rather interesting reptile. That I happen to frequently see around my place and the woods nearby.
Tuko. (Tokay Gecko)
Then comes into my mind images of Pokemon-like geckos taking revenge on the human population, particulary in the Philippines. At this point, I would like to note how Pokemon communicate when the only thing they can mutter is their respective names. How the hell do they know that's what they are called? Maybe Geckos are the real-life pokemon of our time since their call or sound they make is what we call them. *Tuk-O! Tuk-O! Tuk-tuk-tuk-O!!!
Just imagine how they would evolve. Now that last bit was a bit irrelevant, don't you think?
I was like, "Come on, man. That shit's illegal!" But comes a very long discussion (I felt like I was in front of a pyramiding scheme seminar. The one that these "speakers" talk to you using conveniently placed mental and subliminal messaging that suggests positive things when they try to trick you out of your money? Like... Legacy, for example), and the fact that it is very lucrative. Very. I won't go into the details of what we talked about, though. It's some sort of information that... well, if it falls into the wrong hands, then maybe we'll see less and less of those cute, scaly lizards that protect us from mosquitoes and dengue.
I just can't help but feel sorry for the little critters. Don't get me wrong, fellas. I am not with PETA (they creep me out). And I am not vegan either. I mean, our ecosystem is already fucked up as it is, and exploiting another wildlife specie just makes it... well, I guess it just makes it so ridiculous. According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, okay here's a link:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/10994/illegal-wildlife-traders-target-endemic-geckos
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/10994/illegal-wildlife-traders-target-endemic-geckos
and another link from the DENR website:
http://www.gov.ph/2011/07/12/denr-warns-public-on-illegal-trade-of-gecko/
http://www.gov.ph/2011/07/12/denr-warns-public-on-illegal-trade-of-gecko/
A really good specimen will be worth around, P100,000.00 or more. But seemingly, if the terms of the buying is per weight, it can give one instant millions of pesos. Also to note, that this seems to be too good to be true, and along with this thought, the government and other authorities warn people not to engage in the trade because, like we all know, it is illegal, and most of the time these are just scams. The appeal here is the thought of quick bucks. Or buckets of them, if you happen to be the lucky one who chances upon a 2-foot long bright-colored gecko... which might happen to be also a specie of Pokemon. So before you "gotta catch 'em all", I'd rather you get the facts right first before finding good old Professor Oak and stealing his balls.
Some interesting facts about the gecko: As taken from the DENR website (and wikipedia -- THIS IS NOT RESEARCH!):
This bit is taken from the DENR website:
Geckos (family Gekkonidae) are carnivorous, usually nocturnal, reptiles that can be found in tropical countries, and are known for their sticky footpads that allow them to climb vertical surfaces, including glass. They are also known to be the only reptiles to use their voice for social interaction
The Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko) is a nocturnal arboreal gecko, ranging from northeast India andBangladesh, throughout Southeast Asia, Philippines to Indonesia and western New Guinea. Its native habitat is rainforest trees and cliffs, and it also frequently adapts to rural human habitations, roaming walls and ceilings at night in search of insect prey. Increasing urbanization is reducing its range. In the late 1980s and early 1990s it was introduced into Hawaii, Florida, Texas, Belize, and several Caribbean islands, where it can be considered an invasive species.
And that last bit from Wikipedia. And finally, some legal stuff:
Paragraph E and F, Chapter IV of RA 9147 spelled out that trading of wildlife and collection, hunting or possessing wildlife, their by-products and derivatives are considered illegal acts.
For illegal acts under paragraph E (trading), penalties/fines can be imprisonment of 10 days to one month, or a fine of not less than P200 or not more than P20,000, if inflicted or undertaken against other wildlife species.
For illegal acts under paragraph F (collection, hunting or possession), imprisonment of one month and one day to six months and a fine of not less than P5,000 to P50,000 will be imposed if inflicted or undertaken against species as other threatened species.
All wildlife, its derivatives or by-products and all paraphernalia, tools and conveyances used in connection with violations of RA 9147 shall be ipso facto forfeited in favor of the government.
That one above is from Sunstar website.
Some reasons behind the latest fad on geckos include it being a source of medicine that can cure ailments and diseases ranging from Asthma to AIDS. These, however, are not scientifically/medically proven. Maybe they got the notion how cats eat house lizards because their grandparents also told them that it can cure cat-asthma.
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