# Somaliland Detains Austrian for Lizard Smuggling

> Somaliland arrests Austrian over spiny-tailed lizard smuggling attempt.
- Title: Somaliland Detains Austrian for Lizard Smuggling · Allafrica
- Summary: Somaliland arrests Austrian over spiny-tailed lizard smuggling attempt. Somaliland police detained an Austrian national in Berbera after allegedly trying to…
- Keywords: somaliland, austrian, spiny-tailed lizards, caasho-badhi, exotic pet trade, environment ministry, news, world, politics, Detains, Lizard, Smuggling
- Source: Allafrica — https://allafrica.com/stories/202610020384.html
- Published: 2026-10-02T17:47:47+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: somaliland, austrian, spiny-tailed lizards, caasho-badhi, exotic pet trade, environment ministry, news, world, politics
## Somaliland Police Detain Austrian
Somaliland police and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change detained an Austrian national in Berbera after allegedly attempting to purchase spiny-tailed lizards locally known as caasho-badhi.
## Austrian National Allegedly Collecting Lizards
The Ministry of Environment reported the man was apprehended in the Sahil region with containers and equipment linked to the case.
## Lizards Targeted for International Trade
Spiny-tailed lizards, commonly known as Uromastyx, are reptiles with thick, spiked tails found in arid regions of Africa and the Middle East.
## Wildlife Trade Concerns Raised
The case has raised concerns about Somaliland's wildlife being collected for the international exotic pet trade, where reptiles and other animals are sold abroad.
## Government Warns Against Illegal Wildlife Activity
Somaliland authorities warned residents against illegally capturing, selling, or trafficking wildlife and urged reporting suspicious activities to the Environment Ministry or security.
## Key takeaway

Somaliland police detained an Austrian national in Berbera after allegedly trying to collect spiny-tailed lizards for the international exotic pet trade.