PHOTOS: Monitor lizard rescued
A water monitor lizard underwent treatment at the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa hospital in Pretoria on Tuesday after it was rescued from a home in Villeria.
“The reptilian creature was rescued from the water (family swimming pool) and zoo staff found a noose around its neck that had already caused a great deal of scarring. It was determined that it had most likely been there for an extended period of time. Subsequently, its hyoid bone in its throat area had been damaged,” the zoo’s communication officer Angeliné Schwan said on Tuesday.
“Upon arrival at the zoo it was taken to the NZG’s animal hospital for treatment and has now been transferred to its reptile park quarantine facility.”
Schwan said water, or Nile monitors, occur naturally in Pretoria, especially along streams and rivers. They are not considered as preferred pets due to their “temperamental personalities”.
“It is also illegal to keep one as a pet as they are indigenous in South Africa; no indigenous animals may be kept as pets in this country,” she said.
“These lizards are predominantly solitary animals but will move to other water sources in search of new territory or food sources. They have been known to raid chicken coops and dove cages in suburban areas.”
On Tuesday evening, spokesman for the national zoo, Craig Allenby, said judging from the noose around the reptile’s neck, it seemed someone had tried to keep it as a pet or for use in the traditional medicinal trade.
“It is doing well and will be released into a safe environment as soon as all the permits are in place,” said Allenby.
PHOTOS: National Zoo