Solution

·      A report by the Wildlife Conservation Society ( WCS )- India has pointed out 172 incidents of seizures of red sand boa ( Eryx johnii ) between the years 2016 - 2021 . ·      The report, compiled by the Counter Wildlife Trafficking unit of WCS - India, and titled ‘ Illegal Trade of Red Sand Boa in India 2016 - 2021 ‘ collates information from media reports on the seizures . ·      Fifteen of these included sand boas alongside other wildlife species, with 157 records talking only about sand boa species . ·      One hundred and twenty - one of the 157 incidents documented seizures involving red sand boas . ·      The red sand boa is classified as ‘ Near Threatened ’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) , with a ‘ decreasing ’ population trend in most of their habitat ranges . ·      This report is an attempt to bring to light the trade in red sand boas , especially online trade, and to develop a better understanding that might help prevent the illegal collection and sale of the species . ·      The study also highlights the role of social media in the illegal trade of the species . ·      YouTube serves as a buyer - seller - interface for red sand boas in India , and sometimes acts as a gateway to facilitate trade via WhatsApp adding that up to 200 videos advertising sand boas for sale on YouTube were retrieved during 2021 .