If you thought capturing four black mambas in a day was impressive, wait until you hear about Nick Evans’ latest rescue. The KwaZulu-Natal snake rescuer found himself called out to a suburban garden in Pinetown where a giant Nile monitor lizard had made its home in a swimming pool filled with garden refuse.
The residents understandably felt uneasy about the lizard’s presence and were concerned about where it would move on, as there were dogs in neighboring properties. Dogs can kill even large specimens of Nile monitor lizards, so it was essential to remove them from the area.
Capturing and Releasing the Lizard
Evans decided a trap would be the best option and contacted Nile monitor researcher Euan Genevier for advice. Genevieve loaned Evans a surprise that he had found to be more successful than the one Evans had used. Evans set up the trap next to the pool, covered it with sheets of corrugated iron for shade, and put some bait in.
To Evans’ surprise, the lizard was captured in just two and a half hours. The lizard was giant, weighing just under 8 kg and measuring around 1.8m long, as estimated by the resident.
Getting the lizard out of the trap was quite challenging, as it knew it was safer there. But eventually, Evans and his friends managed to get it out with a few scratches. They then met with Genevier to collect data from the animal before releasing it into a much safer environment.
Nile monitor lizards do not threaten humans and generally do not attack. However, they can cause concern when found in urban areas as they can kill small animals and become a nuisance. With Evans’ help, this particular lizard could be safely removed from the suburban garden and released into a more suitable habitat.
Final Thoughts
Nick Evans’ latest rescue story is a testament to the importance of responsible wildlife management in urban areas. Removing animals such as Nile monitor lizards from urban areas is crucial to prevent them from becoming a danger to pets and other small animals. Thanks to Evans’ quick thinking and expertise, this particular lizard was safely removed and released back into the wild.
