Utilisation of flap-necked chameleons at urban markets in South Africa

Utilisation of flap-necked chameleons at urban markets in South Africa

by Alex Negro Science

Scientists from the African Amphibian Conservation Research Group have analysed the existing literature on the subject. Fortunate M. Phaka also visited six municipal markets in Durban, Johannesburg, Petermaritzburg, Polokwane and Pretoria. At the markets, he searched for amphibians and reptiles sold for medicinal purposes and the names given to them by the vendors. He was able to interview 11 traditional health practitioners in Limpopo, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal in detail, from nine of whom he was allowed to take samples of the amphibians and reptiles sold for species identification.

In total, 33 species of reptiles and one species of amphibian used for traditional medicine were identified. Nine of these were found and identified on site during the market visits. The traditional healers interviewed stated that they had either hunted the animal parts themselves, bought them from hunters or taken them from roadkill. Fat and internal organs are removed, the carcasses are rubbed with ash or salt and dried in the sun. Usually, the healers’ customers do not buy complete carcasses, but only small parts of the reptiles on offer. Of the 111 animal samples taken, sufficient DNA to identify the species was obtained from 90 of them. 23% of the samples tested were incorrectly named by the healers.

Chamaeleo dilepis was among the reptile species utilised. No complete chameleon could be found at the markets visited. At the Warwick Muthi Market in KwaZulu-Natal, however, several reptile parts were sampled which, according to DNA comparisons, came from lobed chameleons. Chameleons in general were not identified to species level by the healers. The IsiZulu word unwabu stands for any chameleon.

Barcoding and traditional health practitioner perspectives are informative to monitor and conserve frogs and reptiles traded for traditional medicine in urban South Africa
Fortunate M. Phaka, Edward C. Netherlands, Maarten Van Steenberge, Erik Verheyen, Gontran Sonet, Jean Hugé, Louis H. du Preez, Maarten P.M. Vanhove
Molecular Ecology Resources Vol 25(2), 2025
DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13873

Chameleons in traditional medicine in Sierra Leone

Chameleons in traditional medicine in Sierra Leone

by Alex Negro Science

In Sierra Leone in West Africa, animal parts are still used in traditional medicine today. Two scientists from the University of Nala have now investigated exactly which ones and what they are used for.

The study was conducted in the chiefdoms of Kowa and Dasse between March and July 2023. Around 24,000 inhabitants live here, almost all of them farmers. Both areas are located in the Moyamba region in eastern Sierra Leone and are sparsely populated with the exception of four urban regions. The scientists interviewed 40 people and visited the patients they were treating. The interviewees included herbalists, traditional healers, fetish priests and obstetricians selected by the local population. People familiar with the area were asked about the fauna present. The animal parts used were photographed and sampled as far as possible.

As many as 17 of the interviewees had attended secondary school, while 17 others had received no schooling at all. All of them stated that they had learnt the healing methods used from their ancestors. 30 of the 40 interviewees made their living from traditional medicine and had been practising for around 30 years. A few even stated that they earned between $ 2120 and $ 4230 per year (the average for an employee in Sierra Leone is $ 2900 per year). Forty-five animal species were used for medicinal purposes, and 40 diseases were named as indications. The most frequently used animals, around a third, were reptiles, followed directly by amphibians, snails and mammals. Primates alone accounted for 10% of the animals used.

Chamaeleo gracilis was mentioned eighteen times during the interviews as a potential remedy. It is locally called ‘duqui’. Its skin, muscle parts and intestines are said to improve memory. It is also used for various mystical purposes. Most parts are eaten cooked.

Traditional medicines containing animal parts: Use in Kowa and Dasse chiefdoms, Southern Sierra Leone
Jonathan Johnny, Alhassan Bangura
Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2024, 13(3): pp. 308-317
DOI: 10.22271/phyto.2024.v13.i3d.14972

Photo: Chamaeleo gracilis photographed by kogia, licence Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International