Local knowledge on the benefits of wild meat is probably the motivation behind consumption of such unusual source of protein. Various tribes in Indonesia are known to include wild meat of monitor lizards, Varanus spp. in their diet for several reasons including health benefits. Water monitor, Varanus salvator, is widely distributed across the Indonesian Archipelago and commonly found even in degraded habitats. Meat and internal organs of this species are commonly known to be consumed in Indonesia by at least three ethnics, i.e. Batak on Sumatra, Dayak on Kalimantan, and Minahasa on Sulawesi islands. We aim to investigate consumption of water monitor meat in a few communities in the western part of Java, where there is likely a custom albeit benign. Previous observations in the province of West Java showed consumption of a smaller scope in Sundanese communities, where religious background is of a restriction. Consumption of water monitor meat all over on Java seemed to be infrequent, yet also prevailing at a level of small business. In the western part of Java, consumption and sales seemed to be dominant in the northern areas, but mostly in Jakarta than in the regencies of West Java province. Direct observations and casual interviews with a few associates in West Java revealed a long-term practice in Cibinong. Besides its gastronomic benefit, meat of water monitor is believed as health tonic for men and a therapeutic method to treat skin diseases.

Banyu Nibo Waterfall is located near Nglanggeran, Gunung Kidul that well known for its eco-tourism development. The geographical and ecosystem condition could be providing unique habitat for herpetofauna. Herpetofauna has important role in the ecosystem as food chain components and even as environment bioindicator.The aim of this research is to asses the herpetofauna diversity in Banyu Nibo Waterfall as preliminary biodiversity data.  The research was conducted using VES (Visual Encounter Survey) assisted by 500 meters transect line. As a result, 15 species were found, mainly distributed on area with tree coverage.

The Asian water monitor, Varanus salvator, has been exploited for its skin and meat in Indonesia. We found evidence of trade on this species in the greater Cirebon area in the province of Jawa Barat and linked the trade to raw skin supplies for local craft markets. Skins of water monitor distributed on Java were unique in their pattern, where a series of yellowish and dark grey scales that form a round shape called ocelli are arranged into two compact transverse bands on the back near the front limbs. This unique pattern found in our sample may be useful to identify the origin of skins collected for trade and the subsequent craft products. However, this pattern was absent in the craft products available for display in one of the warehouses visited for this study. On the other hand, we observed stockpiles of water monitor raw skins at the warehouses and found a slight difference in the dorsal color pattern. These raw skins in stock were lacking in “double banded” pattern on the dorsal side and were likely to be originated from other areas in Indonesia, possibly Sumatra or Kalimantan. Live animals for sale at the warehouses maybe used for other purposes than to supply materials for local craft industry, for example meat consumption or feed for catfish.