Palawan Council for
Sustainable Development

Wildlife Act with focus at Gecko (tuko), its ecological importance, status and trend of the trade

Alex S. Marcaida PCSDS, Media Bureau Chief

      Gecko commonly known as "Tuko" Recent apprehension of the Gecko (tuko) collectors and traders at Bgy. Concepcion, Puerto Princesa City, has stirred curiousity among residents. Why is the demand getting higher? and for what purpose? Why are gecko’s protected?

    There are local beliefs that drinking gecko’s blood can prolong life and heightens libidos’ that makes one sexually very active. These are anecdotal. Reportedly, the high price of tuko makes the trade tempting at the risk of being caught. It is highly demanded in Malaysia and China, and the Palawan supply eventually ends up there as pet, food and for pharmaceutical purposes. The price is varied: at P200 to 300 apiece, in other areas at 15,000 per kilo, and lately in Rizal, Palawan, (for the bigger tuko with at least 3” head size) is being bought at 40,000.00 apiece. Big income incentive indeed, but it is prohibited by Law by virtue of the Wildlife Act RA 9147 which is being implemented by PCSD in Palawan.

     The trading trend is on the upswing, thus alarming. Gecko’s help save the earth by its natural niche, that is why it is protected. Gecko’s maybe considered as natural insecticide. They prey on small insects such as mosquitoes, cockroach...etc. Their natural functional niche helps in maintaining the population of insects and in general maintaining ecological balance which benefits human living and keeps earth’s natural pace in motion in a sustainable manner.

      Collecting or killing and trading them especially in large number will surely affect the environment. Their present status is placed at “other wildlife” but scientists are now in the move to upgrade (or downgrade) their status to Appendix II of the CITES as they are getting to be endangered. The wildlife act protects them from extinction, and so the PCSD with support from enforcement agencies are now intensifying its partnership to enforce the Law.