[PHOTO] Giant tuko (tokay gecko) sold for $20 million?

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Giant gecko tuko tokek - Indonesia, Philippines, MalaysiaTuko for sale!
We buy geckos for millions of pesos!
You’ve probably seen such lines in classified ads websites, watched the reports on TV about the supposed “tuko trading,” or heard the rumor from a neighbor or friend, but is it really true?
Can tokay geckos or tuko — supposedly with their medicinal properties that can cure AIDS or HIV — really be sold for hundreds of thousands or even millions of pesos?
PinoyMoneyTalk did a bit of online research and it seems to us that the current frenzy over the sale and trade of tuko in the Philippines stemmed from a news report published more than a year ago in an Indonesian newspaper claiming that a 64-kg gecko was sold for $20 million.
According to a report by Indonesia’s Tribun Kaltim newspaper in May 2010:

A giant gecko weighing 64 kilograms, found in Nunukan-Malaysia border in Kalakbakan, was eventually sold for RM 64 million ($20 million).

Accompanying the news report is a picture supposedly of the giant gecko (shown above).
Surprisingly, The Jakarta Post — the largest English language newspaper in Indonesia — picked up the story without providing additional details or verifying if the astonishing story is indeed true:

A giant gecko, weighing 64 kilograms, was recently found in Kalakbakan, Malaysia – an area that shares a border with Indonesia – and was sold for RM64 million (US$19.5 million), Tribun Kaltim newspaper reported Friday.
“The gecko has been sold for RM1 million per kilogram,” said Arbin, who took a picture of the animal. “The buyer was an Indonesian who later took it overseas, maybe to China.”
Tribun reported that despite the gecko having been sold, its editorial office and journalists received calls all Friday from “businesspeople” who wanted to bid higher prices.
Arbin said the gecko was found by a local teenager in a forest in Kalakbakan.

Fact or fiction? Real image or photoshopped?
We don’t know. But the cynic in us has these questions:

  • If the 64-kg gecko in the picture is indeed true, why is it not caged or tied? Shouldn’t a giant creature like that be tied so as not to attack people (or that diminutive cat beside it)?
  • The story was reported in May 2010, more than a year ago. Why are there no other pictures or videos of the creature? At 64 kilograms, this would have already earned the title of Guinness World Record for largest gecko!
  • If it was indeed brought to China, why did the Indonesian immigration allowed its export? A giant animal such as that would have been a national treasure and should be protected because it is rare.

The news report may be a hoax but nevertheless it provided us with an interesting discovery: regardless of the country, the animal’s name is derived from the sound it is producing. Filipinos call the gecko tuko, the Americans call it tokay, the Indonesians call it tokek, while the Vietnamese call it tac ke.
That trivia may not be worth $20 million but it’s still one priceless piece of interesting information.

About the Author

James Ryan Jonas teaches business strategy, investments, and entrepreneurship at the University of the Philippines (UP). He is also the Executive Director of UP Provident Fund Inc., managing and investing P3.1 Billion ($56 Million) worth of retirement funds on behalf of thousands of UP employees.

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44 thoughts on “[PHOTO] Giant tuko (tokay gecko) sold for $20 million?”

      •  PARA SA AKIN IF EVER MY BUMILI NG TUKO C GURO YONG MALALKI LANG BAKIT KAYA DAHIL BA MAS  MARAMING MAKUKUHA.PERO SA AKIN LAHAT NG GECKO USE WHY NOT 150 GRAMS PATAAS…

        Reply

        • 4 those who have gecko’s or tukoim one of the legetimate buyers..here are the procedures:photo procedutesWEIGHT:LEGTH:DATE:
          send photo at my yahoo mail: juntilla_rochie@yahoo.comcall / text: 09496578163we nid a serious seller’s.. Godbless 2 all

        • Hi! I have 3 Geckos…. and I m frm India and Here is my Email (newmeip@gmail.com) and I will like to talk with you as soon as possible..

        • sir / maam, that’s the picture of the tuko gecko… the height of 120gram is 9.5inc. while the height of 100gram is10inc.. just look at the picture sir.. just tell me sir if your interested about the 2pcs tuko gecko..im waiting your answer….maam and sir..text or call no# 09232405582 thanks po..good pm po…

    • Yup, I too believe that image has been Photoshopped. I just found it surprising that reputable newspapers such as The Jakarta Post would carry such story, thus spurring a tuko craze in Indonesia and Malaysia and, now, the Philippines.

      Reply

    • sir that’s the picture of the tuko gecko… the height of 120gram is 9.5inc. while the height of 100gram is10inc.. just look at the picture sir.. just tell me sir if your interested about the 2pcs tuko gecko..im waiting your answer..

      Reply

  9. please send me the contract number with country code number and your email address also when i get same time i will contract to you and send me detail for this payment system and all terms and condition ok.my mail address bcjitendra@yahoo.com and my contract number i will give you latter when i get your mail ok bye

    Reply

  11. To all legitimate seller of Tokay Gecko, We have fast track buyer of 2 to 3 days cash asap payment. Tokay minimum weight requirements must be One (1) kilo with equivalent fast cash payment of P100 million per kilo. Please email at emerb_23@yahoo.com the pictures of Tokay along with latest newspaper beside the tokay or call me at 0933-4859811 & 0915-2418881. . .Thanks…

    Reply

    • sir / maam, that’s the picture of the tuko gecko… the height of 120gram is 9.5inc. while the height of 100gram is10inc.. just look at the picture sir.. just tell me sir if your interested about the 2pcs tuko gecko..im waiting your answer….maam and sir..text or call no# 09232405582 thanks po..good pm po…

      Reply

  13. you know what the truth is, a tokay gecko only weighs up to 400 grams. and that is the truth. beyond that gram is not a philippine tokay gecko. a gecko that is more 400 grams is not a tokay gecko, and it is another species of gecko. and FYI, there are a lot of species of gecko. and the one that “millionaire buyer” is looking for is tokay gecko. and may question ako, IS THERE REALLY A TRUE,LEGITIMATE, AND LEGAL BUYER?…

    Reply

  14. FYI: a tokay gecko is just a pet in USA….so dont dare to involve in such transaction. if there is really a buyer, ask them to show there money…ahahaha

    Reply

  17. Great paintings! That is the type of info that are supposed to be shared across the net. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this publish upper! Come on over and discuss with my site . Thank you =)

    Reply

  18. My dream retirement locale is Portugal! We have browse that it is THE place to retire in Europe due to a lower than average cost of living , a large coastline (so it’s easier to live close to the ocean), and significantly less citizenship/visa red tape.

    Reply

  20. hey everybody ,,,
    i m from northeastern part of india ..
    in my area there are huge tokay gecko …..but i dont know how to to capture
    pls help………

    Reply

  21. Hello, this is an interesting discussion and very useful information that has made me curious. I am from summer lety, Philippines. This area is mostly covered by huge rain forests and mountains. Until now I was so irritated by the sounds that my house Toko or Tokay Gecko makes every night and in their mating season, and i was afraid from the big sizes of them. Honestly I was finding ways how to get rid of them because they are many in my house. Most of the times 2 Tokay Gecko fighting each other falls from the roof sealing on my dinner table and some times in my plate. I don’t know exactly how much they weigh but for sure they are big.. If this is really a valuable species and their are buyers out their who are willing to pay handsome amount for it then I am ready to sell. Contact me through my email address: younus_ali21@yahoo.com

    Reply

  22. I was wondering if there are any buyers, or people who are interested in some Tukos, I have several, open to trades,
    I currently have a few I’m breeding and listed on Sulit.
    Skype – hero4774
    0917 851 3380
    Thanks!

    Reply

  23. sir that’s the picture of the tuko gecko… the height of 120gram is 9.5inc. while the height of 100gram is10inc.. just look at the picture sir.. just tell me sir if your interested about the 2pcs tuko gecko..im waiting your answer..

    Reply

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