Malaysia: Dept sets up monitor lizard traps

M. HAMZAH JAMALUDIN New Straits Times 27 Sep 14;

ROMPIN: THE Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has set up traps at several locations on Pulau Tioman to catch monitor lizards that may endanger locals and tourists.

Perhilitan Pahang director Khairiah Mohd Shariff is leading a five-member team to check the situation on the island after an 8-month-old infant was attacked by a monitor lizard on Monday.

“Our aim is to ensure that there is no overpopulation of monitor lizards on the island.

“It is more on managing the numbers of the reptile where some of them may need to be relocated, especially those which could cause harm to people,” she said yesterday, adding that monitor lizards were generally non-vicious and would not attack humans.

“We have also identified several spots to erect notices to warn the public to be cautious of monitor lizards.”

At present, Perhilitan does not have a record on the total number of the reptiles on the island.

“We will conduct a bigger operation to catch the monitor lizards after Hari Raya Aidiladha next month,” Khairiah said.

On Monday, Nurhidayah Abdul Rahman was mauled and dragged by a monitor lizard at a resort workers’ quarters about 10am. Her mother had fought off the monitor lizard in an attempt to save her.