Varanus dumerilii   

Dumeril’s monitor

 

DISTRIBUTION: Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand (see Auliya & Koch 2020)

RED LIST STATUS: Data Deficient (DD) in 2017

CITES: Appendix II

NATIONAL PROTECTION:

Indonesia. – The species is not protected in Indonesia; harvest quota for 2021 was 1000 wild individuals, of which 950 individuals are intended for export.

THREATS:

Thailand. – Habitat fragmentation. In Thailand, the species is found in primary forest. Almost all remaining primary forests are inlcuded within protected areas; however prior to their protection much of primary forests were already fragmented. As a result the species’ range is not continuous and fragmented. At presetn there is no evidence of intented exploitation of the species for the international pet industry and domestic use.

RESEARCH NEEDS:

Thailand. – The natural history of V. dumerilii is poorly known.  Research is prioritzed towards the population status; most of what is known has been learned from captives. Field studies are challenging; during 13 years of field work only one individual was observed and captured (Cota, pers . comm.). Populations in Thailand also show a distinct pattern compared to populations from Indonesia.

Indonesia. – Understand the species’ habitat use, behavioural traits, and the impact offtake levels on local populations in collaboration with local traders

CURRENT PROJECTS:

Thailand. – None known at present.