Snake rescuer outraged over monitor lizard ‘capture and sale’
Nick Evans was called out to Intersite Avenue where he was shown the injured reptile and asked how much he could pay for it.
A DURBAN snake rescuer has voiced his outrage after someone tried to sell him a Nile monitor lizard (leguaan) that he was called out to assist.
Nick Evans said the reptile, which had been tied up, had to be euthanised because of the severity of its injuries.
What is more it is illegal to capture and sell monitor lizards because they are a protected species, explained Evans.
He took to his Facebook page to share the sad story and explained he was called out to the site on Intersite Avenue in Springfield Park on Friday last week (May 8).
Also read: Fisherman finds human head on Umdloti Beach
“The guy had contacted another snake rescuer, Dave Sedden, and said he had tied up a monitor lizard. Dave called me, checking if I was near Springfield Park and I just happened to be, luckily. I raced over, thinking this may be a Good Samaritan trying to help the lizard.
“I drove down Intersite Avenue and saw the landscaping staff working, one of which was the caller. He came to my window, and I asked him to show me the lizard. ‘Not before we talk money.’ I told him it is illegal for someone to sell me, or anyone, a Nile Monitor Lizard, a protected species, and it is illegal for me to pay for it. Nor would I anyway, based on principal,” explained Evans.
The man then showed Evans the reptile which was tied up and slumped over steel beams.
“The lizard was weak. Then, I noticed the terrible fracture on its spine, by the back legs. I could feel it was severed. It had no use of the back legs or tail. It was done for,” he said.
Evans took the lizard to a local vet who euthanised it because there was nothing they could do to help the animal.
“I’ve become quite numb to seeing dead animals, or animals dying. But sometimes it still gets me. Watching this one take its last breaths, and lose its strength in its front half, was painful,” he said.
You may be interested: Police kill 5 suspected rhino poachers in Zululand gun battle
Evans said he had reported the individual to the relevant authorities.
Northglen News contacted KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife for comment on the issue and at the time of publishing they had not responded.
For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
