Behold the lizard king: giant 2.4 metre Asian water monitor is captured after terrorising Florida neighbourhood for months
- The enormous lizard, an escaped pet named Bamboo, is estimated to weigh 70kg
Florida authorities have caught a huge lizard that has terrified residents of a suburban Miami neighbourhood for months.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Thursday the Asian water monitor lizard measures more than 2.4 metres (7.9 feet) long. It is estimated to weigh 70kg (154lbs).
The lizard is an escaped pet. It was first reported loose in August in the Davie neighbourhood. Residents said it lurked in their backyards and scratched at their patio doors.
Wildlife officers and Davie police officers caught it Tuesday after getting a tip from a resident who said the lizard frequently appeared on his property around midday.
“I’m relieved,” said resident Zachary Lieberman. “The whole community’s really relieved because people can fully enjoy the outdoors again and not have to fear that this thing might be out there lurking or whether it would attack or get after their children or a pet.”