Stowaway lizard travels from India to Guernsey

Friday 06 March 2020

A lizard with a penchant for adventure is in quarantine after sneaking into a couple's suitcase and travelling over 4,000 miles from India to Guernsey.

Mr Patel, as he has been named by the GSPCA, was an unexpected souvenir for Karen Jagger and her husband following their return from holiday last month.

"We had been home for two weeks after a three-week trip to India before we found our little friend,” she said.

“We had arranged a house move and were in the process of moving to the new house. I have a clothes rail at the new house and we arrived with my clothes to hang them up.”

“On hanging up the first three items he fell out onto the floor. He did not move at first and then I screamed and my husband said, 'What is that?!'”

“We then realised quickly that we needed to catch him as he dashed sideways. We managed to corner him and catch him in a glass bowl.”

Pictured: Mr Patel has been in quarantine at the GSPCA since mid-February. (GSPCA)

“We immediately phoned the GSPCA to see what we should do and they asked us to bring him in.

“A lot of people have asking how he is doing and it is great to hear that he is doing well at the GSPCA.”

GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne said of all the wild animals that are brought to the shelter or rescued by its carers every year, Mr Patel was one of the most unusual.

“On Saturday 15 February, I had a very unusual message from Karen about a little lizard she had found in her home having been on holiday to India.

“We rescue and help over 2,000 wild animals every year, but Mr Patel with his 8000km-plus travel is certainly the furthest travelled we have had come into our care and without doubt one of the most unusual.”

“As a non-indigenous animal, the little gehyra, which was found with no tail, is currently in quarantine and we are following advice from the States Vet.”

Pictured: Mr Patel's journey from India. (Google Maps)

“We have many bearded dragons and other reptiles, many in need of homes but this is the first ever gehyra we have had in, or even seen, and we are trying to identify the exact species.”

Mr Byrne said the shelter has experienced an upsurge in unwanted and neglected reptiles needing to be rehomed in recent years. 

Anyone wishing to donate to the care of Mr Patel and his new friends at Guernsey's Animal Shelter can do so by clicking HERE.