Two men detained in Henan for illegally capturing 44 geckos

Authorities in Zhoukou, Henan province, have detained two men for illegally capturing 44 geckos, according to a statement released by the Huaiyang district public security bureau.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Aug 14, when police officer Xu Gaoshuai from the Lincai town police station noticed two men using headlamps and homemade sticky rods to catch geckos in Yueqiao village. The men were apprehended and taken to the police station for questioning.

The suspects, identified by their surnames Lyu and Si, confessed to their illegal activities during the interrogation. Both men are now in criminal custody, and the 44 captured geckos have been released back into the wild.

Geckos, commonly found in rural households, especially at night, have gained economic value in recent years due to their use in traditional Chinese medicine. The dried gecko is considered a valuable medicinal ingredient, known for its properties in relieving aches and pains, dispersing knots, and preventing seizures. However, geckos can only be legally obtained through authorized methods such as artificial breeding.

Geckos are classified as "Three-Have" protected wildlife in China, meaning they have significant ecological, scientific, and social value. Capturing or selling these animals without proper authorization is illegal. Authorities have warned that the illegal hunting of even a single "Three-Have" animal is a violation of the law. Cases involving 20 or more animals can result in criminal prosecution, while cases involving 50 or more are considered major offenses. Those involving 100 or more animals, or other aggravating circumstances, are classified as especially serious.