Gecko Allegedly Cures AIDS



Tokay Gecko
(Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) Demand for the nocturnal Asian Tokay Gecko has exploded since being perceived as a miracle cure for AIDS. The gecko is reportedly on the verge of becoming a threatened species, according to anti-smuggling group TRAFFIC Southeast Asia.

Conservation groups are voicing alarm and proposing the Tokay Gecko receive more protection.

The geckos, popular as pets in Asia, have long been used as traditional medicine for illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, skin disease and cancer, the report said.

Their carcasses are dried up and ground into powder for consumption. In some parts of Asia, Tokay wine or whisky is consumed to boost energy.

The Tokay Gecko, which has distinct orange-spotted, blue-grey skin, can grow up to 15.7 inches (40 centimeters) in length. The reptiles feed on insects and worms, helping to regulate pests and maintain the ecosystem.

TRAFFIC said more than eight and a half tons of dried geckos were legally imported into the United States between 1998 and 2002 for use in traditional medicine.

Huge numbers are traded within Asia and it said Malaysia has emerged as a key hub to meet demand, especially in China.

Largely, the lizard's guts and tongue are claimed to have medicinal value in treating HIV-positive patients.