Press Item: 'Iggy' enlivens quiet day in the Garden District

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Posted by Desiree on June 02, 2001 at 09:57:16:

'Iggy' enlivens quiet day in the Garden District
By Eugene Sutherland
Staff reporter (06/02/01)

Friday was a quiet day in the Garden District neighborhood around Chester and Marye streets ... until "Iggy" showed up.
That's when the excitement began.

When 17-year-old Aaron Gibson spotted a 21-inch-long iguana, later known as "Iggy," sitting in the front yard, Gibson was at first taken aback.

"I walked out on the porch and said: 'What is this?'" Gibson said. "Then I just told everybody else."

Gibson alerted his roommates, Ben Cortello and Jessica Baillio, both 20, who came out to find the iguana sitting stationary about 15 feet away on the lawn. Gibson placed a call to only the Alexandria Zoo to pick up the scaly intruder with the black and orange tail.

But within 10 minutes, six Alexandria Police Department squad cars, two APD motorcycle officers and an animal control officer had surrounded the house.

"I didn't think the whole force would come out for a little lizard," Baillio said. "Alexandria must be real bored." APD officers arrived first. With each approaching step, "Iggy" moved away. By the time animal control officer Henry Wimbley arrived about 8 minutes later, the iguana had taken refuge from its seekers under a toy wheelbarrow beside the house.

Wimbley scooped up Iggy and placed him in a small cage until two zookeepers arrived to take him for a quarantined, 30-day stay. If the owner does not claim Iggy, the lizard will stay at the zoo.

"When I heard the call, I thought it might have been a baby gator that came out of the bayou," Wimbley said. "These types of animals are not normal to the area." Wimbley said the city averages one or two roaming iguanas a year. In most cases, the animal has either strayed from its owner or the owner has decided to part ways with the special-needs pet.

As Iggy headed off to his new home, eyes peering out a little metal cage, he had already left a lasting impression on his temporary landlords.

"It was a little scary at first, but it got to be kind of exciting," Gibson said. "It definitely wasn't a normal day in the neighborhood."

Eugene Sutherland: 487-6380; esutherland@thetowntalk.com

'Iggy' enlivens quiet day in the Garden District

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: 'Iggy' enlivens quiet day in the Garden District : By Eugene Sutherland : Staff reporter (06/02/01) : Friday was a quiet day in the Garden District neighborhood around Chester and Marye streets ... until "Iggy" showed up. : That's when the excitement began. : When 17-year-old Aaron Gibson spotted a 21-inch-long iguana, later known as "Iggy," sitting in the front yard, Gibson was at first taken aback. : "I walked out on the porch and said: 'What is this?'" Gibson said. "Then I just told everybody else." : Gibson alerted his roommates, Ben Cortello and Jessica Baillio, both 20, who came out to find the iguana sitting stationary about 15 feet away on the lawn. Gibson placed a call to only the Alexandria Zoo to pick up the scaly intruder with the black and orange tail. : But within 10 minutes, six Alexandria Police Department squad cars, two APD motorcycle officers and an animal control officer had surrounded the house. : "I didn't think the whole force would come out for a little lizard," Baillio said. "Alexandria must be real bored." APD officers arrived first. With each approaching step, "Iggy" moved away. By the time animal control officer Henry Wimbley arrived about 8 minutes later, the iguana had taken refuge from its seekers under a toy wheelbarrow beside the house. : Wimbley scooped up Iggy and placed him in a small cage until two zookeepers arrived to take him for a quarantined, 30-day stay. If the owner does not claim Iggy, the lizard will stay at the zoo. : "When I heard the call, I thought it might have been a baby gator that came out of the bayou," Wimbley said. "These types of animals are not normal to the area." Wimbley said the city averages one or two roaming iguanas a year. In most cases, the animal has either strayed from its owner or the owner has decided to part ways with the special-needs pet. : As Iggy headed off to his new home, eyes peering out a little metal cage, he had already left a lasting impression on his temporary landlords. : "It was a little scary at first, but it got to be kind of exciting," Gibson said. "It definitely wasn't a normal day in the neighborhood." : Eugene Sutherland: 487-6380; esutherland@thetowntalk.com

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