Forensic genetic experts in Hyderabad have shed light on a wildlife crime involving poaching and the exploitation of superstition. Researchers at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) uncovered an elaborate scheme where the genital organs of male Bengal monitor lizards were being illegally traded as the roots of a rare plant, Martynia annua.
Through DNA analysis, the CCMB team helped Tamil Nadu investigators identify the true nature of the contraband. The poachers had harvested the forked penises (hemipenes) of monitor lizards and altered their appearance to mimic plant roots, which are believed by some to possess occult powers. These modified organs were fraudulently marketed under the name “Hatha Jodi,” a supposed charm for bringing wealth and fortune.

The findings, published in Springer Nature in September 2024, emphasize the value of forensic genetic evidence in combating wildlife crimes. The CCMB researchers highlighted the alarming scale of monitor lizard poaching in India, driven by demand for their meat, assumed medicinal benefits, and the illegal trade of “Hatha Jodi.”
Monitor lizards, found across India, are often targeted for their purported healing properties, believed to aid in conditions like asthma, arthritis, and rheumatism. Their genital organs are deceptively sold as mystical plant roots, fueling large-scale poaching. This case underlines the critical role of forensic science in protecting wildlife and prosecuting offenders.
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