Selling of Tokay Gecko (Gecko gecko): A Money Making Business in Forest-Fringe area of Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, India

Local people in Duars of West Bengal have found a money making business in selling a small reptile Tokay Gecko. More and more people are attracted to the huge amount of money offered by distance Gecko-mafia against this animal. The forest area is already recognized for being a hub of Rhinoceros, Elephant and Leopard body parts trafficking-but poachers now appear to have proceeded onto the rare Tokay gecko. They usually live on trees and also roaming at rural house wall in search of insect prey. The Tokay Gecko has become an endangered species in this forest area because of indiscriminate hunting.