Editorial photo #9660048 Human Interest
Animal India
A wild large adult Bengal monitor or common Indian monitor (Varanus bengalensis) lizard is sunbathing in a forest in Tehatta, West Bengal; India on 27/02/2023. Reptiles traded from Southeast Asia are commonly found in biodiverse landscapes such as waterways, scrublands, forests, and agricultural lands adjacent to rural, often marginalized communities. The majority of snake and lizard leathers currently traded globally originate from Southeast Asia, with most from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Other important source regions include West Africa and South America. The destination of skins is predominantly Europe, USA, China, and the Middle East. Approximately 90-95% of traded reptile skins originate from the wild. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)
