Watch: Good Samaritans rescue likkewaan with its head stuck in an empty tin can in fast-flowing Ladysmith river
Nick Moolman, with the help of Avinal Singh and Pierre de Kock, quickly got hold of the lizard and saved its life
A likkewaan / water monitor lizard had a lucky escape this morning (February 22) after being stuck in a tinned food can in the fast-flowing Klip River.
The lizard had its head stuck in the can, obviously having seen the opportunity to grab a quick bite to eat from the left-overs.
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Community members were gathered on the banks of the very full Klip River, taking pictures of the high water level. While taking their pictures and videos, they spotted a very unusual tin can bobbing up and down in the water. “The can looked like it was moving like a snake,” said one community member on the riverbank.
The can made its way towards the river’s edge and was moving on fallen debris. When they looked closer, to their shock and disbelief, they saw that a likkewaan had gotten its head stuck in the can.
The fast-thinking Good Samaritans sprang into action to save the over 1 metre long lizard.
Nick Moolman, with the help of Avinal Singh and Pierre de Kock, quickly got hold of the lizard.
The lizard could not see and would have eventually starved to death.
People are urged to crush empty open cans when disposing of them in the trash. Countless animals’ lives will be saved if everyone does this.
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With great difficulty, the Good Samaritans latched onto the lizard and went about removing the can from its head so it could happily slither off into the water once again.
Their quick thinking certainly saved the creature’s life.
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