My cousin was asking me what was the estimated weight of the tuko (tokay gecko) he was holding. I said it was less than 100 grams for sure. The next day he asked me the same question again and requested to weigh it on my portable digital scale. The weight was less than expected. It weighed only 50 grams. 
He said it was useless. The buyer is looking for tuko which is more than 500 grams each. The buyer will rear tuko as pet and willing to pay as much as 500 pesos each.
Then my uncle brought home a lot of tuko recently. He eventually freed all of them cause no one wanted to buy. Perhaps none of tuko passed the 500 gram weight.
I was shocked to know that the real pricing for tuko trading range from 50,000 pesos to half million each [from gma 24 oras]. Buyers are mostly from Southeast Asia. They are using tokay gecko as medicine for cancer and AIDS.
However the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (PAWB-DENR) stated that tokay gecko collection, rearing and trade is against the law. It is stated in Republic Act 9147. Over collection might cause ecological imbalance like rapid increase of mosquito population.
Tuko is not yet in the list of endangered species but its collection, rearing and trade is still unlawful. As of article date, no permit has given to anyone.
As cancer and aids cure, tokay gecko is either dried and pulverized or broiled before eating. There are no scientific studies to prove this claim yet.
photo courtesy of manfred werner -tsui
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update as of june 29, 2011
The residents of Lian,Batangas are hunting and rearing tuko for a living. Perhaps they not the only town engaged in this activity. A friend of mine has been spending weeks in Mindanao catching tuko. He is a taekwondo instructor. This illegal racket is really tempting. I have never seen tuko which is more than 300 grams in our place, I can never do it for sure.
The health claims were contradicted by health experts. They stated that there are no scientific studies to prove it. Anyway! They always say the same thing,”no scientific evidence yet“. However , they are not willing to conduct studies either.
Authority emphasized that catching, rearing and selling tuko are violations of Wildlife Act. The punishment is six months to six years imprisonment and a fine of up to one million pesos.
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update as of july 15, 2011
National Bureau of Investigation, NBI, conducted a preliminary investigation about the reality of Tuko Trading. They never found anyone who actually bought and anyone who actually sold tuko. Besides, the 400 g species is not available in our country. The tuko as cure for aids and cancer is probably a hoax.
However , ijerome testify, he know someone who actually sold one.
NBI warned, anyone caught engaged in tuko trade will be prosecuted will full extent of the law.
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update as of july 24, 2011
More than 250 grams tokay gecko are able to produce the substance called tri-hexapentaphenicol – the curing substance.
PAWB – there are no tuko in the Philippines which weigh more than 200 grams. They consulted several biologist and scientist about this matter.
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update as of august 9, 2011
Senate of the Philippines also got interested on tuko issue. Here are some highlights of their discussion:
The Department of Health again stated that there is no scientific evidence that tuko can cure chronic illnesses. People should not depend on gecko as cure for their disease, like AIDS.
According to Chinese Medicine Expert, gecko is not new to their traditional medicine. Geckos are used as medicine for decades, for astma, back pain and kidney disease. He further stated that tuko can help repair damage tissues like wounds.
ito si pamintang kalbo .. gusto ko bilhin lahat ng tuko nyo .. supsop boto lng ang babayad ko .. ang game ba kayo ?
if there is a scientific proof please send me i m looking forward for ur mail
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