CoP17 Prop. 31

Inclusion of Masobe Gecko Paroedura masobe in Appendix II
Proponents: Madagascar and European Union
Summary: The Masobe Gecko Paroedura masobe is one of 15 species of Malagasy Ground Geckos in thegenus Paroedura. It is endemic to Madagascar with a limited range in low elevation humid forest, typicallybetween 300 and 600m above sea level in the east of the country in the province of Toamasina. In 2011 it
was assessed as having an extent of occurrence of no more than 410km2, with ca. 100km2 of suitable habitat
remaining. The species is believed unlikely to occur more widely than its currently known distribution 1.
Remaining habitat is fragmented and the population is suspected to be declining, although no quantitative
information is available1. It has been reported that there is a relatively stable population in the Betampona
Natural Reserve2. Surveys conducted over a period of seven months in the reserve in 2007 and 2010 foundjust two male specimens. However, in 2013 surveys in an area where the species was known to be present
found 23 individuals in three weeks2. As well as Betampona Natural Reserve, the species is also known tooccur in Zahamena National Park and the newly established protected area of Ambohidray.
Continuing declines in the quality and extent of habitat are believed to be the most important factors affecting
the species. Concern has also been expressed about the possible impact of harvest for the international pettrade. The species is highly attractive, and local collectors have indicated that it is one of the most profitable
reptile species to collect in the area. There are reports of illegal collection in Betampona Reserve andZahamena National Park. There is no reported domestic use of the species.
A report (currently in preparation) from two regional administration centers of Analamanga and Antsiranana
recorded exports of just under 2500 individuals between 2000 and 2005, before controls on exports were put
in place in 2006 (see below). Import data from the USA recorded just under 300 wild-caught individuals
imported from Madagascar between 2011 and 2015, most (ca. 250) in 2014 and 20153. Additional imports of53 captive-bred individuals from Canada, Germany and the United Arab Emirates were reported between
2011 and 2015. Online surveys between 2011 and 2016 also reveal the presence of the species in theinternational pet trade with traders in Europe and the USA offering specimens for ca. USD 380-9504,5. Thereis also evidence of it being kept as a pet in Japan6Since 2006, P. masobe has been listed under Category I, Class I of the National Decree 2006-400, which
strictly prohibits the hunting, capture, possession and commercial trade of the species except under license
for scientific purposes, breeding or exhibitions 7. It has been reported that there is an annual quota of ten
individuals that can be legally exported1. Trade data above indicate that this figure has been routinelyexceeded.
The species is classified in the IUCN Red List as Endangered (2011). The assessment noted that if further
research into the distribution of P. masobe revealed that it has a true extent of occurrence is less than
100km², it would merit reclassification as Critically Endangered.
Analysis: Paroedura masobe has a restricted distribution in an area where habitat is fragmented anddeclining. It is sought after in the international pet trade with a few hundred specimens having been exported
annually in recent years since 2006, exceeding the apparent quota. There is no information on population
densities, overall population size or population trends, although the species has reportedly only infrequently
been encountered in one of the protected areas within its range in recent years. The species may meet thecriteria in Annex 2 aA of Res. Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP16) in that regulation of trade is necessary to avoid it
becoming eligible for inclusion in Appendix I in the near future.
Reviewers: S. Chng, J. Janssen and G. Rosa.
References:
Information not referenced in the Summary section is from the Supporting Statement.
1 Bora, P., Glaw, F., Rabibisoa, N., Ratsoavina, F. Raxworthy, C.J. & Rakotondrazafy, N.A. (2011) Paroedura masobe.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011.
2 Rosa, G.M. (2016). In litt. to the IUCN/TRAFFIC Analyses Team, Cambridge, UK.
3 Analysis of US Fish & Wildlife Service Law Enforcement Management Information System (LEMIS) data, May 2016.
4 XE Currency Converter. (2016). Xe Currency Charts. http://www.xe.com/currencycharts. Viewed on16th May 2016.
5 For example, Facebook (2016) Paroedura Masobe, hatched 2013.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.492960607462809.1073741828.162344533857753&type=3.

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CoP17 Prop. 31

Reptile Forums (2016a) Paroedura masobe. http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/lizard-classifieds/1083484-paroeduramasobe.html.
Reptile Forums. (2016b). Paroedura masobe VERY RARE gecko. http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/lizardclassifieds/1070188-paroedura-masobe-very-rare-gecko.html.
Pangea Reptiles. (2016). Paroedura masobe for White Plains 7/10.
http://www.pangeareptile.com/forums/showthread.php?52090-Paroedura-masobe-for-White-Plains-7-10.
Tarantualspiders (2016) Reptiles Price List. http://tarantulaspiders.com/Reptiles_Price_List.php.
Terraristik (2016) http://www.terraristik.com/.
Xen Foro. (2016). For sale WC Paroedura masobe pairs. http://forums.teetk.com/threads/for-sale-wc-paroedura-masobepairs.180063/.
All veiwed19th May 2016.
6 Nakadai, A., Kuroki, T., Kato, Y., Suzuki, R., Yamai, S., Yaginuma, C., Shiotani, R., Yamanouch, A. & Hayashidani, H.
(2005). Prevalence of Salmonella spp. in pet reptiles in Japan. The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 67:97-101.
7 Ratsimbazafy, C. In litt. to the IUCN/TRAFFIC Analyses Team, Cambridge, UK.

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