Escape-proof new home for giant lizard who went rogue in Guernsey

Tuesday 15 August 2023

Three-foot-long lizard Teppy has been given an escape-proof new home after the unusual family pet went walkabout in Guernsey.

The GSPCA was called out on Friday afternoon after an islander found what they described as an "extremely large lizard".

It was later identified as a tegu and has since been reunited with its owner after the GSPCA put an online appeal out.

The owner said ‘Teppy’ had escaped from her enclosure and made it around 50 meters away before being spotted. Teppy has since been rehomed in an escape-proof enclosure.

“Thank you to the GSPCA for rescuing her and all of the help of the local people in trying to locate us,” they said.

Pictured: A collage of Teppy in the GSPCA's care.

Rescue Officers Geoff George and Neil Hughes had collected the lizard which became the largest reptile in the GSPCA's care – so big he was kept inside a dog kennel as there wasn’t a vivarium large enough for it.

GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne said the pair were “surprised” to discover a creature so large.

Mr Hughes said similar calls usually come in for smaller creatures which hitchhike to the island in suitcases.

“Today when I attended the scene in Castel I was faced with the largest lizard rescue I have been called out which was a real surprise,” he added.

“Geoff managed to restrain the extremely large lizard which we have now safely transported to the GSPCA.”

Mr Byrne said there are other reptiles are in the care of the GSPCA which need a home including two snakes, a bearded dragon, and others.