Nile Monitor Lizard rescued in KZN garden – PICTURES

KZN snake rescuer Nick Evans from time to time finds himself called out to capture other reptiles. Take a look…

By: Garrin Lambley

PICTURE | WILD DOG CATCHES IMPALA MID-AIR

As reported by The South African website, Evans captured no fewer than FOUR black mambas in a single day last week.

And he started his Human Rights Day public holiday on Tuesday, 21 March by rescuing a boomslang.

In between that, Evans was also called upon to capture a ‘beast’ of a black mamba measuring 2.7 metres and weighing around 3kg.

WATCH | HYENA STEALS IMPALA FROM PYTHON

His latest rescue in KZN was something a little different, as reported on his Facebook page.

WATCH | PYTHON CONSTRICTS LEOPARD IN EPIC BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL

Evans wrote on Friday: Another Nile Monitor rescued today Nice to be getting a few calls for them, especially seeing as we’re busy studying them.

This little one had wandered into a garden in Westville, and was then chased into the swimming pool by the dog.

Fortunately, the homeowner acted quickly and did the right thing, getting the dog away, and locking it inside.

Dogs often kill monitors, so it’s crucial to keep the two apart if possible.

‘Pretty painful lizard bite’

Sensing the coast was clear, the lizard climbed out, and moved to a corner of the garden, hiding behind the pool pump.

PICTURES | Nile Monitor Lizard rescued from KwaZulu-Natal garden

When I arrived, I tried sneaking up on it, from an angle where the pool pump cover blocked me from the lizards view. But all their senses work incredibly well. Hearing, smell, so it knew I was approaching, and bolted. Fortunately, it ran into a corner, a tiled corner, so it was slipping. I got my hand, well, glove on it before it could go anywhere else. As my hand touched it, it swung around and bit the glove. I was glad I was wearing it.

They tend to hold on, and it’s pretty painful.

My friend, Euan Genevier, who’s studying the species, came down to collect data from it, and it was later released.

As you’ll see in the second pic, it’s shedding it’s skin. A bit like a snake, just not nearly as neatly. An indication of growth, and this one definitely has a lot of growing to do.

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