Large Lizard Captured in Suwon's Gwanggyo New Town After 11-Day Search

A large lizard that had appeared around the walking trails of Suwon's Gwanggyo New Town was captured on the 11th day of the search.

According to Suwon City and other authorities on the 22nd, a large lizard was spotted at around 11:37 a.m. on that day near the riverbank by Gwanggyo Wellbeing Town's Hongjae Library, and was captured by Suwon City and fire authorities.

A worker conducting weeding operations in the river discovered the lizard and reported it to police. Upon receiving the report, city and fire authorities responded and captured the lizard using nets and other tools. No casualties occurred during the capture process.

The lizard captured this time is believed to be a Nile monitor that was spotted in the Gwanggyo New Town area on the 11th.

As large lizards were repeatedly spotted around the Gwanggyo New Town walking trails, Suwon City and fire authorities conducted searches. The Nile monitor is a large reptile that can grow to over 1 meter in body length, with the specimen discovered this time measuring approximately 70 centimeters.

The city plans to send the captured lizard to the National Institute of Ecology for final confirmation of whether it is the same individual as the Nile monitor that had been searched for.

If confirmed to be the same individual, it will be handed over to A, a man in his 30s identified as the original owner.

Police have been investigating A on suspicion of violating the Wildlife Protection and Management Act.

전시언 기자 yourside@news-s.kr