It was a bit of an eventful trip for Scottburgh Mall shoppers today who noticed that the mall had a special, but very different kind of visitor – a Nile monitor lizard!

Shoppers spotted the monitor lizard relaxing on the mall rooftop and contacted Crocworld Conservation Centre to rescue it.

The conservation centre’s reptile curator, Wade Kilian, arrived at the mall in no time and was able to safely remove the monitor lizard.

Wade explained that these lizards are common around freshwater sources and are often seen basking at the water’s edge.

“They have varied diets which comprise predominantly of freshwater crabs, frogs, lizards, fish, birds and other invertebrates,” he said.

“They are notorious raiders of Nile crocodile nests as well as nests made by sea turtles, terrapins and various birds.”

After it was removed from the shopping centre, the lizard was released back into an uninhabited area.

Watch the Crocworld team release the Nile monitor lizard by clicking HERE.

Source: Olivia Jones Communications

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