Do Tokay Geckos really cure AIDs and CANCER?

**Riverside Reptiles** · #1 07-08-2011, 02:57 PM

Please read this article. These wonderful geckos DO NOT cure aids or cancer. For those of you that come to this site looking for advice on how to fatten up your tokay just so you can sell it to be killed, PLEASE stop.

Health secretary debunks rumors of gecko cancer cure | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

Health secretary debunks rumors of gecko cancer cure
July 7, 2011, 12:38pm
DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines (PNA) -– Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona on Tuesday said there is no scientific finding that geckos, locally known as “tuko”, can cure cancer, AIDS or other diseases as claimed by people who are spreading its supposed healing power.

Ona, who issued his statement while in Dumaguete on Tuesday, expressed surprise over the sudden emergence of rumors about geckos in the country in recent months.

Ona described it as “funny, but it is true, not only in the Philippines but in other countries that when certain sickness strikes, before you know it, our grandparents already have solutions, that’s why we call them grandmother’s tale,” he said.

He stressed there is absolutely no basis for that perception or belief, as he urged the people to stop believing in such myths.

Reports have it that certain businessmen from Manila are in Negros Oriental to buy geckos weighing 300 grams and above, which has prompted even children to skip classes to hunt for these types of reptile and that even small ones are being caged, fed with ****roach with the belief that they will grow to the buyers’ desired weight.

Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENROP 2) Mario Aragon said the geckos are natural predators of ****roaches and other insects and are not supposed to be extracted.

He said violators may face sanctions under applicable laws, particularly the wildlife protection law.

thehotchik1000 · #2 07-08-2011, 03:39 PM

Yes from what I have seen it is illegal to hunt the tokays. Thank you Ethan for posting this. I'm happy that government officials are stepping up for a native reptile. They should be protected. I think far too much damage has been done already by the tokay genocide.

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**Riverside Reptiles** · #3 07-12-2011, 11:53 PM

More info on this subject:
DENR warns public vs illegal catching, selling of tuko - Nation - GMA News Online - Latest Philippine News

AFP: Jail warning to save Philippine geckos

**Elizabeth Freer** · #4 07-17-2011, 07:13 PM

Using Gecko to Treat AIDS May Put Patients at Risk | French Tribune

Thanks, Herve......

norea · #5 07-20-2011, 10:31 AM

heh... i knew it was all a scam but too bad where i stay, people are taking advantage of the price and are catching and selling them in bulks... very sad sight i must add...

**Riverside Reptiles** · #6 08-05-2011, 04:20 PM

Another article about the lengths these people will go to in order to make some cash off of these poor geckos: Beware of 'silicone' geckos

norea · #7 08-05-2011, 10:26 PM

yes i think i mention that in another thread

J.P. · #8 09-05-2011, 06:07 AM

it's a shame that many in my country are involved in this crazy stuff. i have witnessed so many sad stories. some guys catching dozens of geckos, some even pregnant. then, since these guys expect a quick sell, they do not bother to study how to take care of their geckos. the dozens of poor geckos cramped in tiny containers go hungry, thirsty, can't shed properly, lay eggs everywhere, they fight, etc. overall, the conditions are what would be included on a "don't do list". very terrible. i hope the hunters realize that it is just a big scam and they stop wasting their time and effort hunting the tokay. many people who know that i have tokay ask me why i do not try the million dollar game, they do not believe me when i say it's just all a big scam. there really is no buyer, so the hunters end up having a lot sick geckos.

**Elizabeth Freer** · #9 09-05-2011, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.P.

it's a shame that many in my country are involved in this crazy stuff. i have witnessed so many sad stories. some guys catching dozens of geckos, some even pregnant. then, since these guys expect a quick sell, they do not bother to study how to take care of their geckos. the dozens of poor geckos cramped in tiny containers go hungry, thirsty, can't shed properly, lay eggs everywhere, they fight, etc. overall, the conditions are what would be included on a "don't do list". very terrible. i hope the hunters realize that it is just a big scam and they stop wasting their time and effort hunting the tokay. many people who know that i have tokay ask me why i do not try the million dollar game, they do not believe me when i say it's just all a big scam. there really is no buyer, so the hunters end up having a lot sick geckos.

Hi J. P. ~

Many thanks for sharing! Your post is especially significant because you live right there and even have tokays

. Somehow I wish that you could be a spokesperson for those in the Philippines who believe this scam!

J.P. · #10 09-05-2011, 11:20 PM

i'm sad to say that i am but a small voice, whenever i can i do give advice to hunters and sellers that i encounter personally, but there are hundreds out there that i can't reach.

before i was content to just keep tokays, but now with the added pressure on their population, i plan to breed them and release the juvies in remote places. i am an avid fisherman, so i go to places where "normal" people do not go. hopefully, my tokays will be left undisturbed in the remote environments. at least for few years, just until this tokay craze dies down.

my government is also doing something about the tokay mania, i have heard of some arrests being made, so that is a good sign. i hope the other hunters/sellers learn from the example.