Lanthanotus borneensis

Borneo earless lizard  

DISTRIBUTION: Malaysian & Indonesian Borneo (for distribution data, see Red List Status)

RED LIST STATUS: Endangered (EN) in 2019

CITES: Appendix II

NATIONAL PROTECTION:

Indonesia: According to the Regulation of the Minister of Environment & Forestry of the Republic Indonesia, http://ksdae.menlhk.go.id/assets/news/peraturan/P.20_Jenis_TSL_.pdf

Malaysia (Sarawak): Acording to the First Schedule [Section 2(1)] PART I on Totally Protected Animals from the Wild Life Protection Ordinance, 1998, (Chapter 26), https://forestry.sarawak.gov.my/modules/web/pages.php?mod=webpage&sub=page&id=790&menu_id=0&sub_id=205

THREATS: Deforestation, drainage of wetlands, illegal collecting specimens for the international pet industry (Shepherd 2023; Shepherd & Shepherd 2024)

RESEARCH NEEDS: Assess current distribution pattern; conduct population density surveys; study seasonal habitat use; create awareness campaigns in local communites; investigate the efficacy of national protection measures; examine offtake levels for trade purposes (national/international) and national captive breeding efforts at governmental registered facilities; evaluate the implementation of a monitoring program and adaptive management plan; population genetics > forensic DNA analysis

CURRENT PROJECTS: Not known at present

References referred to:

Shepherd CR (2023) First seizure of trafficked Earless Monitor Lizards (Lanthanotus borneensis) in Vietnam with additional notes on illegal trade. Reptiles and Amphibians, 30: e20089.

Shepherd L, Shepherd CR (2024) Largest Seizure of Earless Monitor Lizards
Lanthanotus borneensis in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Reptiles & Amphibians, https://doi.org/10.17161/randa.v31i1.22312