Press Item: Runaway iguana recovered in Rochester

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Desiree on June 29, 2001 at 12:06:53:

Runaway iguana recovered in Rochester

By DAVE PEARSON

Democrat Staff Writer

ROCHESTER � Bill Fenlon didn�t expect to chase a 4-foot lizard into his shed Thursday.

But he and a neighbor managed to corral the iguana into a shed after finding it in his yard at the Saks Mobile Home Park off Route 125 about 2 p.m.

Closeup ofcaptured four-foot iguana. Foster's Daily Democrat staff photo - Craig Osborne
At first, it was a bit of a shock to Fenlon, who said he hates snakes, to find the long, scaly, green lizard skulking through the grass. He found the iguana rustling around in some leaves and said it must have gotten lost.

"He looks peaceful enough," he said.

Fenlon said he wanted to catch the lizard because he didn�t think it would survive in the open.

"Another three months and he�d freeze out here," Fenlon said. "It looked like somebody�s pet � pretty expensive ... I figure those things must go for $400 or $500 bucks."

"I didn�t think I could catch it myself," Fenlon said.

Corralling the creature wasn�t as hard as he expected and it acted almost unafraid of people, he said.

"He didn�t seem interested in running," he said.

Fenlon�s first attempt was fruitless, as he tried to get the lizard into an animal carrier, which the lizard ignored.

Getting the lizard into the shed was easier, as it just walked in on its own, he said.

As Fenlon waited for police to come collect the animal, a group of neighbors passing by stopped for a look.

"Holy smokes," one boy said.

They marveled over the creature for a few minutes and then moved on.

Rochester police Officer Anthony Deluca picked up the iguana and is trying to locate the owner.

He used gloves to pick up the lizard, which sported sharp, leathery spikes along its back and throat. If agitated, iguanas can pose other threats by whipping its tail, Deluca said.

This one, however, surrendered without a struggle.

"It�s one of our easiest arrests," Deluca said.

Runaway iguana recovered in Rochester

Follow Ups:

Re: Press Item: Runaway iguana recovered in Rochester Amy 06/29/01 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Runaway iguana recovered in Rochester : By DAVE PEARSON : Democrat Staff Writer : ROCHESTER � Bill Fenlon didn�t expect to chase a 4-foot lizard into his shed Thursday. : But he and a neighbor managed to corral the iguana into a shed after finding it in his yard at the Saks Mobile Home Park off Route 125 about 2 p.m. : : Closeup ofcaptured four-foot iguana. Foster's Daily Democrat staff photo - Craig Osborne : At first, it was a bit of a shock to Fenlon, who said he hates snakes, to find the long, scaly, green lizard skulking through the grass. He found the iguana rustling around in some leaves and said it must have gotten lost. : "He looks peaceful enough," he said. : Fenlon said he wanted to catch the lizard because he didn�t think it would survive in the open. : "Another three months and he�d freeze out here," Fenlon said. "It looked like somebody�s pet � pretty expensive ... I figure those things must go for $400 or $500 bucks." : "I didn�t think I could catch it myself," Fenlon said. : Corralling the creature wasn�t as hard as he expected and it acted almost unafraid of people, he said. : "He didn�t seem interested in running," he said. : Fenlon�s first attempt was fruitless, as he tried to get the lizard into an animal carrier, which the lizard ignored. : Getting the lizard into the shed was easier, as it just walked in on its own, he said. : As Fenlon waited for police to come collect the animal, a group of neighbors passing by stopped for a look. : "Holy smokes," one boy said. : They marveled over the creature for a few minutes and then moved on. : Rochester police Officer Anthony Deluca picked up the iguana and is trying to locate the owner. : He used gloves to pick up the lizard, which sported sharp, leathery spikes along its back and throat. If agitated, iguanas can pose other threats by whipping its tail, Deluca said. : This one, however, surrendered without a struggle. : "It�s one of our easiest arrests," Deluca said.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana Forum ] [ FAQ ]