A poisoned chalice: Black scorpions, worth more than gold, being caught and sold illegally

An underground black market and smuggling ring fuels the budding industry.

KARACHI: The black scorpion is one of the most feared anthropods in the country, an animal that used to be killed on sight as a defence reflex. Now, there are people that hunt and capture the fearful animals; catch a few big ones and you are set for life.

The black-market trade of black-and-yellow scorpions is at its peak in Sindh. Catching them is not an easy task; capturing a poisonous scorpion that often scurries away at the slightest of movements. People in the coastal belt of Sindh, however, still do it to get good money.

The black scorpion goes at a premium, as compared to the yellow one. A scorpions that weighs more than 50 grammes can fetch eye-raising figures and one that weighs more than 100 grammes is literally worth more than its weight in gold. Since prices increase exponentially, each additional gramme of weight is more valuable than the last.

The hunters

To capture a scorpion, one has to leave home soon after the sun sets and search for the black sand. If you are lucky, then you may be able to find one after searching for about six to eight hours. "I enjoy hunting black scorpions," M*, who has been in the trade for the last couple of months, told The Express Tribune. "I am not alone in this activity, and there are many who search for them."

M knows that the scorpions in his areas are not of an ideal size and thinks that most of the big ones have already been captured. He revealed that he often receives calls from prospective buyers, inquiring whether he had caught any good ones recently.

"People from Lahore and Islamabad are also in my contact," claimed W* from Thatta, who has not found a scorpion that weights more than 35 grammes.

He informed The Express Tribune that the demand for scorpions that weigh more than 50 grammes is extremely high. Despite his unenviable success rate, he remains optimistic. "I will find at least a big one by the end of this month," he said.

According to the people who are involved in this illegal scorpion trade, a few buyers have even established offices in Karachi. Middlemen contact these buyers and prices are then fixed according to the weight. "If I say I have a scorpion that weighs more than 100 grammes, at least half a dozen people will contact me within a few hours," said W, a smile crossing his face at the prospect.

Like the others, he is not concerned about the fate of the endangered animals after he has sold it. "We earn a lot of money but we also risk our lives for it so the price is fair," W justified.

The hunters, or collectors as would be more apt to call them, do know one thing: the scorpions are being used for medicinal research, more specifically for its poison.

Another collector told The Express Tribune that this illegal activity started in his area last year. "I used to see a lot of black- and-yellow scorpions here but I don't see them anymore," he said.

Experts are concerned

The wildlife experts are not aware of the sale of scorpions but say that the involvement of Pakistanis in the scorpion smuggling racket makes it all the more worrying.

"The sudden disappearance of such a large number of scorpions is dangerous for biodiversity," said International Union for Conservation of Nature Pakistan natural resource management coordinator Nadeem Mirbahar.

"It will disturb the food chain. Plus the venom of scorpions is lethal. A strict ban on selling and collecting them should be imposed immediately."

Sindh Wildlife Department head Javed Ahmed Mahar said that stern action will be taken against those involved in illegal scorpion trade.

The sellers, however, seem unperturbed by the idea of a ban and some even welcome it. They believe that a ban will enhance the rates further. "The ban will make this trade more interesting," said W, smiling again at the prospect of being able to ear more.

*Names have been changed to protect identity 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2014.