Wildlife traffickers dump protected lizards during high-speed pursuit

GARIES – Three suspects were arrested after a high-speed chase on the N7 close to Garies in the Northern Cape for illegally possessing vulnerable armadillo girdled lizards.

The suspects, aged 21, 29 and 37, were apprehended following the high-speed pursuit after they failed to stop when directed by police officials, said Captain Ivan Magerman, communications officer for the police in the Namakwa District. This incident took place near Garies at approximately 22:00 on Monday 2 February.

Magerman said police received information about a red Volkswagen Golf with three male occupants allegedly involved in illegal activities related to armadillo girdled lizards.

At approximately 21:45, police officers spotted the vehicle and attempted to stop it. The driver drove recklessly in an attempt to evade arrest. During the pursuit, officers observed the suspects throwing objects from the vehicle, which were later identified as armadillo girdled lizards.

The three males were successfully apprehended and returned to the crime scene where they were formally arrested.

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A total of 84 armadillo girdled lizards were recovered and booked as evidence. These lizards have an estimated value of R123 000. The Volkswagen Golf was seized as it was used in the commission of the crime.

The three suspects are expected to appear in Garies Magistrate’s Court for contravention of the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act. The case has been allocated to the Springbok Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit for further investigation.

Vulnerable status due to illegal trade

According to CapeNature, the armadillo girdled lizard, or “pantstergordelakkedis”, has vulnerable conservation status, especially due to international illegal trade in this species. Poor land management also leads to habitat degradation and loss.

Poaching is its most urgent threat, stated the Endangered Wildlife Trust. The armadillo girdled lizard is considered one of the most heavily trafficked reptiles in Southern Africa. Growing overseas demand for the exotic pet trade has resulted in hundreds being removed from the wild every year. Late in 2025, authorities confiscated a staggering 104 individuals in the Northern Cape.

This heavily-armoured, stocky lizard varies in colour from greyish brown to light yellowish brown. Males and females are very similar and can reach an average total length of about 150 to 200mm.

This species exhibits characteristic defence behaviour: when in danger and unable to reach a crevice or rock crack for shelter, they roll into a ball and bite their tail, protecting their softer underside. They can maintain this position for up to an hour. They are relatively slow-moving, very shy and quick to hide when approached.

These lizards are strict rock-dwellers and live in horizontal crevices. They are social animals and form family groups of up to 60 individuals in one crevice. Once a year in autumn, the female gives birth to one relatively large offspring.

Armadillo lizards are endemic to the mountains and rocky hills of the Succulent Karoo biome in the Northern and Western Cape, where they occur from the southern Richtersveld to the Piketberg mountains and the southern Tankwa Karoo National Park.