MARIBOJOC – Catching and trading of house-dwelling lizards, locally called “Tuko” are banned by the municipal government, a report said. The latest craze of catching these obscure reptiles, not only for pets at home,  is catching fire among the children who are now enjoying summer vacation because of its lucrative prices offered by buyers. Report said that Mayor Leoncio Evasco, Jr. has ordered the prohibition following reports his office intercepted that Koreans are roaming around and enticing local residents to produce these geckos or “Tuko.” Each of these insect-eating lizard costs not less than P2,000 each, the report said. The mayor said these creatures that mostly reside at home are there for ecological balance. According to the research, lizards either at home or in the vineyard serve as predators to insects harmful to plants.

It was not immediately known whether the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has also forbidden or not the catching or trading of the reptiles. Lizards, like alligators, also produce high-end custom-made leather belts, bags and other fashion accessories. In western countries they, like dogs, are made as pets. Unconfirmed report said the catching of these lizards are essential in the on-going research for drugs for cancer and other ailments beyond the cure of modern-day medicine. A study in the United States found that a new medication derived from the saliva of the giant Gila lizard has offered hope for those suffering from diabetes and obesity published in American Chronicle. “Bronx VA Medical Center endocrinologist John Eng discovered the active ingredient in Byetta, called exenatide, in the early 1990s while looking at a sample of of Gila monster saliva,” author Steve Hammons said. Hammons continues, ”Byetta can lower glucose significantly in people with type 2 diabetes. Some patients have reported that their blood sugar has dropped to normal. Additionally, many physicians and overweight patients report significant weight loss of from 5 to 60 pounds.” (RVO)