An endangered species of Golden Monitor Lizard was found in Kailali

Dhangadhi: The Golden Monitor Lizard which is on the endangered list, has been found in Kailali. The lizard was found on Saturday in Ghodaghodi Municipality Ward No. 1 Janakpur.

The lizard was seen walking slowly by the locals while cutting paddy in the fields of Putli Sapkota. Naveen Puri, a local who saw the lizard while harvesting paddy, thought it was an important species, and a team from the Khabar area forest office, Sukhad, reached the site for its safe rescue.

Gokul Rijal, division head of Division Forest Office, Pahalmanpur, said that the animal, which is an endangered species, will be rescued and left in a safe place. The National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Department has listed the golden monitor lizard among reptiles as one of the most poached and illegally traded animals. According to the department, there is also a legal system of strict punishment for its poachers and illegal traders.

It is found in the lowlands of India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Pakistan, including Nepal. Nepal has been looking into the conservation of the species and listed it as endangered by the IUCN under the National Parks and Wildlife Protection Act 1973.