A young man from Bukhara caught on video mistreating an endangered gray goat lizard

A video circulating on social media shows a resident of Uzbekistan’s Bukhara region handling a gray goat lizard—an endangered species listed in the Red Book of Uzbekistan—in a cruel manner before feeding it. The Prosecutor General’s Office has launched an investigation into the incident.

According to reports, the video was posted on June 1 by a resident of the "Yosh Kuch" neighborhood in Jondor district. He captured a gray goat lizard that had wandered into a field shed in the desert, forcibly placed food into its mouth, and then released it into a nearby pasture.

Authorities have drawn up official documentation regarding the incident, and a preliminary investigation is currently being conducted by the internal affairs bodies. The investigation remains under the control of the Prosecutor’s Office.

The Prosecutor’s Office noted that under current legislation, both administrative and criminal liability apply to cases of cruelty toward animals, particularly endangered species. Such actions are not only morally reprehensible but also represent a serious offense that threatens biodiversity and the natural environment.

For reference, the gray goat lizard is one of the largest lizards native to Central Asia and is the only species in the goat lizard family. Its body length, including the tail, can reach up to 160 centimeters, and it can weigh more than 2.5 kilograms. Its inclusion in both Uzbekistan’s Red Book and the International Red List indicates its critically endangered status.

When confronted, the goat lizard defends itself by inflating its body, making warning sounds, sticking out its tongue, and attempting to bite. Its bite is extremely painful and is strong enough to sever a grown man’s finger.