Sedan ett par månader har jakt på tokaygeckor eller “tuko” på filipino blivit populärt i Filippinerna eftersom det rapporteras att näthandlare köper ödlorna för stora summor pengar. Jakten påbörjades när rykten spreds om att ödlorna kan hjälpa mot astma och HIV/AIDS.

Hälsodepartementet har uttalat sig och påmint befolkningen om att det inte finns något stöd för detta:

The folkloric practice of using geckos as cure for AIDS and asthma persists to this day and is of serious concern to the Department of Health (DOH). There is no basis that this practice cures ailments like AIDS or brings relief from symptoms of asthma. Thus, we do not recommend it as cure for any ailment.

Senatorn Manny Villar är rädd för att geckojakten skulle kunna leda till att arten utrotas i landet:

Although geckos are not classified as either critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable, it is now under threat from over collection which can ultimately lead to vulnerability or extinction

Från gaikokujinkuns Flickr-sida, används med CC Licens Ettribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Cebu and Davao Journey has vänner som letat efter geckor:

I first heard about this tuko craze on a radio in Davao a few months ago, where an announcer talked about the hoax of selling this lizard for 100,000 to 200,000 Pesos. I was ought to believe what the announcer said. It was then I eventually learned that it was indeed true. Some friends were telling me about it, that they spend time looking for tuko in hopes of becoming an instant millionaire.

Walking Newspaper, biolog, ogillar geckojakten för pengar:

Well then, if only catching one is only as easy and fast as applying and availing and online cash advance, I rather stop schooling and just merely go to the jungle and forever to catch gecko my whole life. Sad to say, geckos are our friends, as for me – as a biologist, and not for trading businesses.

Det har redan avslöjats att handeln med geckor som Internet gör möjligt är en bluff. Tjsdaily uppmärksammar att många filippinier fortfarande inte insett att köparna är bluffmakare:

There are a billion reasons more why this tuko gecko scam is just that—a scam. Unfortunately, most of the Filipino populace are still completely ignorant on how scammers work.

Bloggaren visar också en skärmdump av hemsidan där de otroliga priserna för levande geckor visas:

Tokaygeckor värda miljoner pesos

Our Philippine Trees hoppas att ‘exploatörerna’ inte hittar ödlorna i deras tillhåll:

Probably the tuko hype will attract a few entrepreneuring Pinoys to trap specimens in the provinces.

I hope the tukos would stay stuck to where they are and give these exploiters a hard time. May the geckos cling on to them till their thick skins get peeled off!

Just my Personal Opinions hittar ingen som lyckats sälja en gecko dyrt:

Is this true? I have lots of friends hunting for “tuko”. But none of them can show me some proofs that there are real “millionaire” buyers.. or at least, a common friend who was able to sell one for that price.

For a price of one million pesos for a full-sized single “tuko”, I can't help but think that they're into something bigger than a cure for aids or cancer… if this is true. Or if not, is it possible that someone just started this “fake craze” to divert the attention of many?

My Life in Cebu föredrar att hålla sig borta ifrån geckojägare:

Personally, I would not hunt tuko or buy one for even a 100 pesos. The tuko still scares me and I respect and appreciate its purpose as a mosquito killer. I would not let people into my house just to hunt for these lizards. Tuko trading could net someone a lot of cash but I'd rather stay in my job. 😉

Tokek Sabah lägger upp 10 texter om den galna geckojakten i Filippinerna.