Are you an explorer?If you are... have you seen this creature?

Imagine walking around Bangkok lost in thoughts or thinking about the upcoming place you’re going to visit. S u d d e n l y, a m o n s t e r - l i k e creature, almost resembling a crocodile crosses your path. What ’s go ing to be your reaction? Are you going to be petrified and stand still until you get back to your senses or are you going to scream and tell your

friends about your encounter with the ‘crocodile’ or the ‘alligator’ look-alike? Most people actually tend to mistake this creature as member of the crocodile family. But, in reality, it is the water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator), the most common lizard found in Thailand, which is classified as reptile and is very close to the Komodo Dragons from Indonesia.

What are they? In Thailand, monitor lizards are called ‘hias’, which is a derogative slang word. These monitor lizards actually fall into the class of neglected animals mainly because of their appearance and their habits of consuming decomposing organic matter. Only very few keen and enthusiastic people actually take an interest to study their natural behaviour and habitats, since they look very unwelcoming and scary to say the least. However, as the saying goes— “looks are not everything”. These creatures are actually helpful in the ecosystem and they have the most important role to play as the maids of the ecosystem. By eating decomposing or dead organic matter, they actually help cleanup the ecosystem. In addition, their skin is of great value as it can be used to make products like bags and shoes, which are sold at unbelievably high prices depending on the skin pattern. Also, these lizards are part of folk art and heritage.

Why this book? This guidebook is a work in progress and contains cartoons, facts and art works. All these have been contributed by MUIC (Mahidol University International College) students out of their personal interests. Through this guide, we hope to reach out to people and try to encourage them to observe animals in urban aras such as the water monitor lizards. Through this, we hope that they will also find other interesting animals and came to the conclusion that we are all living together in one planet. We would also like to build a map of locations where this animal can be found. The guide is not intended only for animal lovers and Thai people, but also for tourists in general who may want to see

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an endemic species living together with Thai people.We will take into consideration any opinions

and criticisms to help us improve this workbook; therefore it is a work in progress. Please, acknowledge the efforts we have put into this guide and hope you have a great time going through it. And lastly, thanks to Saeng Srisopaporn who helped us get this close to knowing about the legendary monitor lizards. We are looking forward to working with you again.

Srijita DasguptaEnvironmental Science student

Mahidol University International College

1. Varanids—Lizards of the Varanus genus, the largest lizards of Thailand (total of five)*

• Clouded Monitor (Bengal Monitor) Varanus bengalensis nebulosus (Ta Guad ตะกวด)- vulnerable

• Red-headed Monitor (Harlequin Monitor) Varanus dumerilii (Tood Tu ตุ๊ดตู่) - vulnerable

• Black Jungle Monitor Varanus salvator komaini (Hia Dum เหี้ยดํา) - very rare

• Rough-Necked Monitor Varanus rudicollis (Hao Chang เห่าช้าง) - vulnerable

• Water Monitor Varanus salvator (Hia เหี้ยลายดอก) - most common *Pictures can be found at the end of the book

2. Wildlife Reservation and Protection Act BE 2535—Thai law protecting wildlife 3. Legendary Monster—refers to Varanus salvator 4. Spot/Spotting—an act of spying or catching a glimpse of something

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“We should not be afraid to

fight for what we believe is

right”Tunza,the UNEP

Magazine for Youth

Key Terms

Contents Who are the spotters?

Spotters’ story

How to spot a monster?

Lizard: Myths and Facts

What do people perceive the legendary monster?

Final tips and parting words

Appendices and references

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WMLG Water Monitor Lizard Group is a group of students who surveyed the water monitor lizards in Mahidol University and continued to work on promoting the idea of co-existence

Apple Tree Club

A newly established environmental club at Mahidol University. Beside working with WMLG, other club’s activities are ongoing.

Climate Coolaims to promote youth actions on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and to project an image that to do so is “cool” and trendy and a crucial element in the lifestyles of young global citizens

Sponsors

Keep up with our activities through Facebook:wmlg2010@gmail.com

Contact us at: wmlg2010@gmail.com(+668-7-553-1416)

Download online publication at:http://issuu.com/wmlg

Description: The spotter can be anyone who happens to find the legendary monster wondering around Thailand and willing to take photos of them to be uploaded on Facebook or the internet.

Mission: Spot legendary monsters and track their whereabouts

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Step 1: Spot!

Step 2: Take a photo

Step 3: Record place, date, and time on mobile phone• January 31, 2011, near the Victory

Monument, 7:45 am am

Step 4: Tag it on Facebook with recorded info. Facebookwmlg2010@gmail.com

Step 5: Become a Spotter!

What YOU can do as the Legendary Monster Spotter

Methods

Objectives:• Take photos of spotted lizards• Upload photos online • Record place, date, and time

Materials needed:• Yourself• Camera• Internet access

It was exciting to encounter a water monitor lizard, because I’ve joined the survey team for awhile and it’s not as if you can come across them easily.

Sometimes it’s difficult to take a picture of them because they are so far away, but overall it was alot of fun spotting them!

Listen to our Spotter...

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See how other spotters are doing... November 28, 2010

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See how other spotters are doing... November 28, 2010

Tips: How to differentiate between two lizards1. When taking pictures, make sure you take

the same position so that you can compare later

2. All lizards have different skin patterns3. You can also compare the size of the lizard

Spotters spotted the Legendary Monster at the College of Music (Hot Spot) Mahidol University, Salaya Campus November 28, 2010 10:00 am

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Can you tell the difference?

One of the major difference between the first and the second picture is the width between the nostril and the mouth.

The head of the third picture is much larger than the first two.

The pattern and color of the third picture is also different than the first two.

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Legendary Monster HOT SPOT: spot where you can find the Legendary Monster in action as well as other interesting animals

Location: area surrounding College of Music, Mahidol University, Salaya campus and the famous Mother Noodle Shop

You can find our monster in action at the HOT SPOT

Shy lizard: If you stay too close to the lizard, it will slowly move away from you.

Angry lizard: If you get too close to its baby or its food (eggs), it will get angry. So, be careful!

Baby lizard: The little ones are up sleeping on the tree.

Dead lizard: Of course, our monsters are victims of roadkills from fast drivers. So, don’t drive too fast!

Eat noodles and enjoy the HOT SPOT scenery at the Mother Noodle Shop, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus!

Take a look at the open zoo sign constructed for the HOT SPOT with other interesting animals

What is the HOT SPOT?

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• If you see this lizard on the day of an examination, you will get an A on your test

• The lizard can bring bad luck • You can win lottery by watching the lizard

• Loves to be around water from coastal zones up to 1,200 m, from mangroves and beaches to inland swamps, agricultural lands and montane forests

• Favorite food dish: frogs, crabs, eggs, nestling birds, small mammals, lizards, large invertebrates and carrion

• A young lizard can die from a car crash• Lizards can live up to 60-70 years• Wounds on its body can heal quickly • When rice costs only 2 Satang in Thailand, the lizards’ egg costs

10 baht each • Its major function in the ecosystem is to control crocodiles and

snakes population by eating their eggs• Habitat destruction poses a great challenge to the conservation of

the Thai Varanids• The lizard can grow up to be 2-3 meters long

Myths

Facts

Legendary Monster Profile

What’s in people’s mind when they think of the Legendary Monster?

I’m the owner of the Mother Noodle Shop and the lizard visits my shop often. When my shop is open, they would climb on top of the tree and when my shop is closed, they toppled the garbage can to find something to eat.

I’m the security guard and I had to survey the whole of Mahidol University area. I’ve observed that around 5am—8am, the lizards are usually in the water. Then, I would see them around 8am sun bathing on the sidewalk. I’ve also seen them digging through the garbage dump sites.

Hello, I’m the nurse from MU clinic and I’ve worked here for 20 years. From my experience and knowledge, no students, staffs, or anyone else has ever reported being bitten by the lizard or being attacked by it.

Hey there, I’m the gardener of Mahidol University and I’m stationed around the College of Music area. I know for sure that there’s one lizard with its tail cut off, and I can tell the different between each lizards around

this area.

Hello, I’m an MUIC student. The first time I saw this lizard I thought it was a crocodile!

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Students were asked to draw the the Legendary Monster according to their imagination

Tips for Spotting ๏Spotting in Bangkok can happen at any place

and anytime near water areas (Dusit area, Lumphini Park, Rangsit area and Suan Rot Fai)

๏If you’re not sure whether it is a log or a lizard, stand still and wait for 10-20 seconds to see if it moves

๏It can be spotted near water edges in the morning as it needs to sun bathe

๏Garbage dumps are common places for lizards in Bangkok as it scavenge for rotten meat

๏Skin patterns are different, be sure to take note of that

Through this workbook we hope to build a map of Bangkok with all the highlighted possible hot-spots for the lizard. We hope that this guidebook will help those interested to be part of our spotters network as well as giving them the tools to understand and be able to distinguish between all lizards of Thailand. In search of this lizard, we also hope that you will find other interesting creatures along the way.

The lizard and its family is native to Southeast Asia; Thai people and the lizard has lived together for ages for instance along the Chao Praya River. People may think that Bangkok urban areas and its premises has only insects and pests, but this lizard reminds us that nature exists with us and always.

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“We are all living in the same Planet”

Final parting words...

Appendix I. Pictures of the 4 Legendary Monsters of Thailand

A. Water Monitor Varanus salvator (Hia เหี้ยลายดอก)

B. Black Jungle Monitor Varanus salvator komaini (Hia Dum เหี้ยดำ)

D. Rough-Necked Monitor Varanus rudicollis (Hao Chang เหาชาง)

C. Clouded Monitor (Bengal Monitor) Varanus bengalensis nebulosus (Ta Guad ตะกวด)

E. Red-headed Monitor (Harlequin Monitor) Varanus dumerilii (Tood Tu ตุดตู)

A

B

C

D

E

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Appendix II. The Story of “One Day Trip with the Legendary Monster”

To make everyone more acquainted with our lizard or the legendary monster, an open-to-all day outing was organized called the “One day trip with the Legendary Monster”. Posters were hung up around MUIC and 3 water monitor lizard models were placed around MUIC building to grab people’s attentions. And to our joy, people responded and were willing to participate in the trip, which was scheduled to be on November 28, 2010, in conjunction with the International Year of Biodiversity celebrations.

Throughout the trip, we tried spotting all animals on MU campus in the most enjoyable way possible. With pens and notebooks in our hands, we all set off early in the morning in search of the legendary monster. We were fortunate to have Mr. Wichayanan Limparungpatthanakij, an MUIC alumni and an avid bird-watcher, helped us spot and identified birds using binoculars and spotting scopes, which would otherwise be impossible to see with our naked eyes. Equally fortunate, we also had Dr. Ramesh Boonratana aka Zimbo, an MUIC faculty member and conservation scientist to accompany us on the outing. He gave us a lot of insights about monitor lizard and interacting with him has always been fun and productive. He imparted his rich knowledge and anecdotes on biodiversity, ecology, animal behavior, and conservation to us, and we acknowledge his effort to spare much time away from his busy schedule.

Our primary aim for organizing the trip was finally achieved when we spotted a monitor lizard by the College of Music. We were able to approach and observe it from just a meter away. It was the most thrilling part of the whole day and all of us could capture many good photographs. We later spotted two more in the

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nearby pond. Ms. Pichaya Svasti, a Bangkok Post journalist also accompanied us

throughout the day, and her story is expected to appear in the newspaper this year. After lunch, we had a communal session where we played games and discussed the diversity and abundance of animals that we individually and collectively saw during the outing. From the discussion, the idea of publishing an information guide came to everyone’s mind—to attract people’s attention and seek their support towards these animals.

These animals are of great help to the ecosystem as they help to keep it clean by feeding on mostly decayed materials. They are also a source of income to some, while source of food to others. Then why are we actually scared of them? If we don’t harm them, they won’t even bother to harm us.

Although the Varanus spp population has been somewhat stable after they received legal protection under the Wildlife Reservation and Protection Act B.E. 2535 (1995), these lizards are still being exploited for the leather industry and as exotic food. Moreover, due to shrinking and fragmented habitats, they frequently end up as road casualties. While much is being done to save the lizard and other different species of animals and birds, we need proactive public awareness and support to help conserve these creatures effectively. This is only possible if we can achieve better understanding and show more tolerance towards them. So, let’s all try to be more pragmatic and bring about a change in peoples’ perspectives towards these monitor lizards. Can we not start from our very own Salaya Campus? We shall be patiently waiting for your responses and possibly great initiatives.

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Srijita DasguptaEnvironmental Science student

Mahidol University International College

References:

1. ARCBC (2009). “Focus Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus salvator Laurenti)”. Accessed on July 10, 2009 from http://www.arcbc.org.ph/arcbcweb/pdf/vol1no4/focus_water_monitor_lizard.pdf

2. Ria, T. (2001). “Malayan Water Monitor Lizard”. Accessed on July 10, 2009 from http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/verts/monitor_lizard.htm

3. Lauprasert, K and Thirakhupt, K. (2001) “Species Diversity, Distribution and Proposed Status of Monitor Lizards (Family Varanidae) in Southern Thailand”, The Natural History Journal of Chulalongkorn University 1(1) pp. 39-46

4. Luxmoore, R. & Groombridge, B. (1990). Asian Monitor Lizards a Review of Distribution, Status, Exploitation, and Trade in Four Selected Species. CITES, Switzerland: Lausanne.

5. Cota, M. (2010). “Study and Conservation of Varanids of Thailand”. Thai Natural History Museum, National Science Museum, Thailand.

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Contributors:

Siripat Suksaengsri Communication ManagerWMLG

Saengabha Srisopaporn Project ManagerWMLG

Bushra ChalermthaiContent Writer

Noorulhuda ChalermthaiCartoon Officer

Khongsak KawdettikhunCartoon Officer WMLG

Srijita Dasgupta Content Writer

Galuly Taweeapiradeeroong Graphic Officer

Sam LinGraphic Officer

Jnani Pongpakatien Interview Officer

Po-Tsao Chen Public Relation

Wichyanan LimparungpatthanakijBird Watcher

Tawin Kim

Public Relation

ZimboScientific Advisor

MikeyCartoon Officer

Our designed gift products

Legendary Monster Traffic Sign sticky - stick on car windows or house windows

50 baht

Polo shirt with Five Legendary Monsters in the back and WMLG logo in the front.

300 baht

Simple shirt with Five Legendary Monsters in the back and WMLG logo in the front.

200 baht

Contact:Saeng +668-7-553-1416email: Saengabha@gmail.com