'Extremely Large Lizard' Returned To Owner

Monday, 14 August 2023 at 12:56

The GSPCA is labeling the island's largest lizard rescue a success after the giant reptile was returned to its owner today - World Lizard Day.

Rescue Officers were called to the Castel on Friday evening (11 August) to capture a giant lizard on the loose.

The South American native was housed in a dog kennel over the weekend, due to its size, and was mentioned in the national news.

Owner Chloe Tyne says she recognised her pet "Teppy" on the shelter's Facebook page and was happy to be reunited today (14 August):

"She seems to have broken out of her enclosure through the lamp hatch.

Thank you to the GSPCA for rescuing her.

Teppy is safe and sound now, in an escape-proof home, where she’s nice and warm."

Shelter Manager Steve Byrne says this was an extraordinary rescue that tested their adaptability:

"The GSPCA do deal with a variety of routine things from hundreds of stray dogs, cats and rabbits, and farm animals that we’ve been called out to help, but to get a tegu which is about 3 feet long is a very unusual case for us to deal with.

But, I'm happy to say, one that ended with a very happy ever after getting her back home.

It's always wonderful to get animals back to their owners as quickly as we possibly can. It was also very helpful because we needed that kennel for stray dogs - it's not usually used for stray lizards!"