Monitor lizard killed for blood, hunt on for culprits

The visuals showed a man slicing the neck of the lizard known as Udumbu in Tamil. He then tilted the reptile and another man collected the blood in disposable glasses. The blood was then mixed with soda and was distributed for consumption. The men are seen drinking the concoction in a single gulp. According to officials from the Forest department, the incident reportedly took place in Pazhavanthangal.

The reptile is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act and it is illegal to kill or be in possession of the lizard. Locals believe that consuming the blood and meat of the reptile had health benefits, the Forest officials said. 

Some nomadic tribes have been traditionally engaged in hunting and selling the meat of the monitor lizard for medicinal purpose. Asked about the incident, Wildlife Warden, K Geethalanali told reporters that the reptile was protected under the Wildlife Act and action would be taken against those responsible for the incident.

The Forest department is currently in the process of identifying the individuals who are seen in the video. Once identified, the department will arrest the culprits and book them under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act.

“We have dispatched our teams to Pazhavanthangal to apprehend the culprits. Action is being taken,” she said. The official confirmed that she also saw the visuals on television.