ASSIGNMENT FOR

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY AND

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

Topic: Wildlife Trading of Red Sand Boa

Dept. of Environmental Biology & Wildlife Sciences,

Cotton University

Submitted by:
Barsha Rani Keot (EWS2262002)
Nikhita Johari (EWS2262013)
PG 3rd Semester
 Introduction

Red Sand Boa Eryx johnii, commonly called the Indian Sand Boa, is a
non-venomous species found throughout the dry parts of the Indian
subcontinent. It is found across India, with the exception of the north-
eastern states following North Bengal; also not found in the Indian
islands. Morphologically it is reddish-brown and thick-set snake that
grows to an average length of 75 cm. Juveniles are red with distinct black
bands on the body that disappear progressively with age, usually leaving
adults with a plain dark brown body colour Unlike most snakes, the tail is
almost as thick as the body and gives the reptile the appearance of being
"double-headed". Red Sand Boas have come under greater threat of late
due to the apparent popularization of superstitious beliefs and their
concomitant rituals, which appear to have become a driver for a
blossoming trade in the species.

Fig:1 Red Sand Boa

IUCN Status of the Species:
The Red Sand Boa is classified as ‘Near Threatened’ by the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with a
‘decreasing’ population trend in most of their habitat
ranges over the years.

Ecological Importance:
Like Any other species, the Red Sand Boa also plays a crucial role in
the ecosystem by maintaining a healthy population between prey and
predator. It actively feeds on rodents, lizards, and even other snakes. So
poaching of this species will impact overall ecological balance and will
disturb the delicate structure of various ecosystems.

Part or Organ of the Species Traded:

In recent years, India has witnessed a massive upsurge in demand for
Red Sand Boas in its illegal domestic market. The Red Sand Boa is now
acknowledged as one of the most traded reptile species in the illegal trade
market, due to its demand in the pet trade, as well as for use in black
magic.
Eryx johnii is a conferred as a celebrity snake in the illegal wildlife
trade, with attributed, superstitious benefits that include: eating, as an
aphrodisiac or for curing various diseases, including leprosy, AIDS,
asthma, rheumatism, erectile dysfunction, and joint pain; ownership, as a
good luck charm, to destroy enemies, or to convey supernatural power
for pulling rice plants; blood consumption, to confer sexual prowess,
good fortune and wealth; movements, as a path to finding hidden
treasure; consumption of glands, as an anti-aging compound; and display
of vertebrae, to make objects or humans invisible. There are also
manufacturing uses, with the skin of this snake valued in the leather
goods and cosmetics industries.
 The price is determined as per its weight. The smugglers have often
been reported to feed this snake steel bullet or lead balls to increase its
weight. The snakes are not just sold but also rented out for hefty sums
(lakhs to crores). Furthermore, the demand for these snakes is so high that
they are also reported to be stolen from zoos across India.

Legally protected:
By overtime, the illegal wildlife trade has evolved as a type of
organised transnational crime, threatening the fate of numerous wild
species around the world. This species are protected in India under the
schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Poaching, Trading
attracts sections 9, 11, 39, 48 and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act along
with other relevant sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
1960, if they have been harmed. Therefore, collection, trade or utilization
of the species is prohibited in India. Its international trade is further
restricted under CITES (Appendix ll). The need of the hour is to rethink
our relationship with the Red Sand Boa. The countless benefits it provides
in the wild – playing an important ecological role that supports farmers
by reducing crop damages by rodents can't be overlooked. A few of the
reasons behind boa killings in the wild are lack of knowledge, fear of bite,
mishandling and careless behavior. Special awareness programs should
be made for the people, common man and farmers.

Report by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

Recently, a report by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)-India
titled 'Illegal Trade of Red Sand Boa in India 2016-2021' has exposed the
trade of red sand boa. The report says “Red Sand Boas have reportedly
declined by as much as 80 per cent in some areas, with the species being
one of the most traded reptiles in India.”
A total of 172 incidents of seizures of red sand boa recorded from
2016 to 2021. The incidents of illegal sand boa trade were documented in
18 States and one Union Territory covering 87 districts across India; the
highest number was recorded in Maharashtra (59) followed by Uttar
Pradesh (33).
Maharashtra tops in this illegal trade with a record of 59 cases of Red
Sand Boa trafficking, numbers are high in urban areas such as the districts
of Pune (11), Thane (9), Raigad (7), and Mumbai Suburban (5). The second
highest illegal trading of it takes place in Uttar Pradesh with 33 incidents
of illegal trading of red sand boa districts Bahraich (8) and Lakhimpur-
Kheri (7) near the international border with Nepal reporting the highest
number of trafficking incidents as per the report.
In Maharashtra, the instances of sand boa trafficking recorded in
urban areas are higher than in rural areas, which suggests that the trade is
being driven by young urbanites with greater expendable income, or that
sand boa trade in rural areas is more commonly conducted offline. In
Uttar Pradesh, the frequency of recorded incidents near international
border points suggests that the Indian sand boa trade could be linked to
Nepal, or that sand boas are commonly sourced from
forested border regions.

Combating the trading of Red Sand Boas: The way out.

The red sand boa has gained notoriety as one of the most sought-after
reptile species in the illicit wildlife trade, driven by its demand in the pet
industry and its use in black magic. Given their status as a 'Near
Threatened' species and their significant presence in illegal trade markets,
collaborative actions are necessary to curb this illicit trade and protect the
species from further population declines.
There are both short-term and long-term recommendations to combat
this illicit trade. These include educating journalists to combat
misinformation about sand boas. Civil society, education, and
conservation organizations should develop training programs to increase
the capacity of journalism students and investigative journalists to
produce well-researched and impactful media stories on the illegal
wildlife trade to reduce misinformation on wildlife consumption and
improve awareness of this issues. It also includes engaging with social
media platforms to curb the online sale of these snakes, and fostering
dialogue among enforcement agencies, researchers, policymakers, and
other stakeholders.
Besides, as a responsible citizen, one should report poaching and
illegal trade of Red Sand Boa or any concerned species to the office of the
forest department, or Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB).
Reference:
https://india.wcs.org/Newsroom/News/ID/20992/Conservation-Bulletin--
Week-32-2023
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eryx_johnii
https://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/enablers/traffic/red_sand_boa/
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/172-
incidents-of-seizures-of-red-sand-boa-recorded-from-2016-to-2021-wcs-
india-report/article67249299.ece
https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/red-sand-
boa-1