Press Item: Nine firemen rescue iguana

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Posted by Desiree on June 01, 2001 at 09:18:06:

Nine firemen rescue iguana

by Standard Reporter
A five-foot pet iguana sparked a �2,000 rescue operation when it got stuck overnight up an oak tree in its owner's back garden. The lizard had to be coaxed from the 30ft tree by nine firefighters after it became stranded on a branch.

One fireman climbed a ladder propped against the tree and shook the branch, while seven others stood below holding a giant ground sheet. A ninth officer directed the operation.

A few strong shakes later and the lizard, called Phoenix, tumbled from the tree and landed safely in the sheet.

After being checked over by RSPCA officer Debbie Ogilvie, the bright green beast is today recovering from its ordeal in its tank in Butlocks Heath, near Southampton.

Ms Ogilvie said: "By the time he was spotted up the tree he had become very cold and did not have the energy to get back down again.

"The owner called me and when I got there I called the fire brigade for help. He's now safely in his tank with a hot water bottle to warm him up."

Southampton's Hightown fire station commander, Mark Dawkins, led the delicate rescue operation and said Phoenix gave his men the runaround until they shook him off the branch. Mr Dawkins said: "Fire officer Adrian Probert bravely volunteered to go up and bring him down.

"Phoenix fell straight into the middle of the sheet, although some of the men were a bit surprised by how heavy he was."

Phoenix's owner, 21-year-old student Soma Godden, was full of praise for the firemen and said she had been sick with worry after Phoenix disappeared. She said: "Phoenix does like to explore and has worked out a way of getting out of his glass tank by sliding the doors back.

"I feel a bit guilty about causing so much trouble but I'm so grateful to the fire brigade for saving Phoenix. I love him so much."

Nine firemen rescue iguana

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: Nine firemen rescue iguana : by Standard Reporter : A five-foot pet iguana sparked a �2,000 rescue operation when it got stuck overnight up an oak tree in its owner's back garden. The lizard had to be coaxed from the 30ft tree by nine firefighters after it became stranded on a branch. : One fireman climbed a ladder propped against the tree and shook the branch, while seven others stood below holding a giant ground sheet. A ninth officer directed the operation. : A few strong shakes later and the lizard, called Phoenix, tumbled from the tree and landed safely in the sheet. : After being checked over by RSPCA officer Debbie Ogilvie, the bright green beast is today recovering from its ordeal in its tank in Butlocks Heath, near Southampton. : Ms Ogilvie said: "By the time he was spotted up the tree he had become very cold and did not have the energy to get back down again. : "The owner called me and when I got there I called the fire brigade for help. He's now safely in his tank with a hot water bottle to warm him up." : Southampton's Hightown fire station commander, Mark Dawkins, led the delicate rescue operation and said Phoenix gave his men the runaround until they shook him off the branch. Mr Dawkins said: "Fire officer Adrian Probert bravely volunteered to go up and bring him down. : "Phoenix fell straight into the middle of the sheet, although some of the men were a bit surprised by how heavy he was." : Phoenix's owner, 21-year-old student Soma Godden, was full of praise for the firemen and said she had been sick with worry after Phoenix disappeared. She said: "Phoenix does like to explore and has worked out a way of getting out of his glass tank by sliding the doors back. : "I feel a bit guilty about causing so much trouble but I'm so grateful to the fire brigade for saving Phoenix. I love him so much."

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