Varanus salvator (Water Monitor)

As in 2010, V. salvator met the criteria for high volume trade, with EU imports principally comprising wild-sourced skins traded for commercial purposes (150 007 skins) originating in Indonesia and Malaysia. Total imports of skins doubled between 2010 and 2011; trade originating in Indonesia increased by 153% while imports originating in Malaysia increased by 61%. Positive opinions were confirmed for Indonesia on 29/02/2008 and for Malaysia on 02/12/2011.

2010 Summary for Varanus salvator (Water Monitor)

Criteria met:  High volume

Principal trade term to the EU:  skins

Principal source:  wild

Top EU importer:  France

Top Trading Partner:  Singapore

CITES Appendix:  II

IUCN Status:  Least Concern

EU-reported imports of wild-sourced Varanus salvator skins, all purposes, 2001-2010.

EU imports in 2010 primarily comprised skins, all of which were wild-sourced and traded for commercial purposes (73,924 skins). Imports of wild-sourced skins increased by 35% between 2009 and 2010.

The vast majority of the wild-sourced skins originated in Malaysia (53%) and Indonesia (47%). A positive opinion has been in place for Indonesia since 23/06/1999 (reconfirmed 29/02/2008); for Malaysia, a positive opinion has been in place since 05/09/2002, which was reconfirmed 02/12/2011 (with the exception of Sabah and Sarawak, for which the positive opinion was removed).