A video circulating on social media shows the alleged killing of a Central Asian grey monitor lizard listed in Uzbekistan’s Red Book. In it, a shepherd sets a dog on the monitor lizard and strikes it on the head several times with a stick.

Users claim that similar episodes have happened before. Citizens and eco-activists are demanding that the relevant authorities conduct an investigation, identify the person involved, and give a legal assessment of his actions.

Environmentalists remind: the destruction of rare animals causes direct damage to biodiversity and violates the protection regime for species included in the Red Book. Residents are asked to report such incidents to the competent services.

The Central Asian grey monitor lizard is listed in Uzbekistan’s Red Book.