MARAN, MALAYSIA: A total of 222 endangered clouded monitor lizards (biawak tikus), believed to be destined for the cooking pots in exotic meat restaurants overseas, were rescued at Seri Jaya here on Saturday.

The 8pm seizure at a palm oil plantation here was carried out by enforcement officers of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), led by district Perhilitan chief Sharil Apindi Ahmad.

The six-man team had arrived at the plantation on Thursday and were monitoring the area before carrying out their operation on Saturday night.

It is learnt that the lizards would usually be held captive in the plantation, which acted as a stop-over spot, for several days before being sent overseas.

State Perhilitan director Saharudin Anan said early investigations revealed that the lizards were obtained from the Orang Asli who lived nearby and Indonesians who worked in the plantation.

"They sell the lizards to a middle-man for between RM3 and RM5 a kilogramme.

"The lizards are usually high in demand. They are considered a delicacy and also believed to heal several illnesses," he told the New Straits Times.

This was the second biggest haul by the state Perhilitan after they seized 5,400 lizards of the same species two years ago at the Batu Tiga jetty near here.

It was reported that the lizards were meant to be sold in Hong Kong.

Saharudin said Perhilitan had never issued a licence to hunt the clouded monitor lizard as it was categorised as an endangered lizard along with the Harlequin monitor lizard (biawak serunai) and Dumeril's monitor lizard (biawak kudung).

"We only issue licences to hunt water monitor lizards (biawak air)," he said.

No arrests were made in the raid as those responsible for capturing the lizards were believed to have made their escape.

Perhilitan, however, will despatch its enforcement officers to patrol the area more often to nab the culprits.

Those caught can be charged under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 which carries a fine of not more than RM5,000 or three years in prison, or both.