That's a funny response and one I have heard so many times, you know, there is not enough data. That comment goes both ways. There is no data stating this collecting is harming or threatening this species either.

The FACT, that they still exported/imported in numbers, indicates there IS DATA. If they were hard to find, became rare, then WHERE are they coming from, after all, they are indeed coming from somewhere.

You should know and understand, its not collecting that is the problem with natural habitats. ITs total destruction based on the needs to support the growing human population. So its politics and religion that support the expanding human population. Is that the problem?

As I mentioned, varanids are reptilian rats and prosper in disturbed habitats.

Also, you underestimate the intelligence of locals who collect these animals. They do not dwell on rare or pretty or any of that. They locate and utilize conditions that support numbers of animals. If an animal is rare, its a waste of time. You see, the actual exporters pay by the head, not by rare. They do not run around wasting time looking for something rare, that behavior belongs to people with LOTS OF TIME on their hands.

Lastly, have you or any one of your fellow conservationist took the time to monitor heavily collected populations of any species??????? muchless the species in question? and that is the point. You assume and do not know. Again, I have.

Many of you do exactly what your complaining about here, you run off and "look at" the rare hard to find species, instead of doing the WORK NEEDED. How come there is no data. what are conservationist doing anyway????

So I have to question your stance, you say, no data, then I say, why not??????????????? Again, this has been going on for over 3 decades and there is still no data, hmmmmmmmmmmm sounds like silly talk to me.

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