Culinary Outrage: YouTuber Arrested for Cooking Protected Monitor Lizard

In a development that has sent shockwaves across the digital landscape and highlighted serious concerns about wildlife conservation, a popular Odisha-based YouTuber, K. Jesudas – widely known by his online moniker 'Jitu' – has been taken into custody. His arrest stems from a disturbing viral video that depicted him cooking and consuming a monitor lizard, a species afforded the highest level of protection under India's stringent wildlife laws.

The controversial footage, which quickly garnered widespread outrage across social media platforms, showed Jesudas engaged in the preparation of the reptile, a creature explicitly listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

This designation signifies that the monitor lizard is considered highly endangered and enjoys the same legal protection as iconic species like tigers or elephants, making any act of hunting, harming, or consuming it a grave offense.

Following the rapid dissemination of the video and a deluge of public complaints, the forest department swung into action.

Authorities launched an immediate investigation to identify and locate the individual responsible. Their efforts culminated in Jesudas's apprehension from the Koraput district, where he was subsequently booked under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act.

K. Jesudas operates a YouTube channel titled 'Jitu's Kitchen,' which boasts an impressive subscriber count exceeding 8 lakh.

The channel is primarily dedicated to showcasing his exotic cooking ventures. However, this isn't the first time Jesudas has courted controversy with his choice of ingredients. Previous videos on his channel have allegedly featured him preparing and consuming other wild animals, including snakes and bats, raising eyebrows among wildlife enthusiasts and authorities alike.

Sources indicate that Jesudas had previously received warnings from forest officials concerning his content, particularly after a video surfaced showing him cooking a snake.

Despite these prior cautions, it appears the YouTuber continued to push the boundaries, ultimately leading to the drastic legal action taken against him in the wake of the monitor lizard video. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the legal ramifications awaiting those who exploit protected wildlife for entertainment or personal gain, underscoring the critical importance of respecting and safeguarding biodiversity.