Following the news that a grey squirrel is on the loose in Guernsey, a visiting reptile found in luggage after hitching a ride back to the island has been handed in to the GSPCA.
Maximillion the Madeiran Wall Lizard was quickly caught after it was spotted in its hiding place, before being moved into temporary accommodation at the animal shelter while the charity searches for a new home for it.
“We never know what we are going to have to help. We had the surprise that a grey squirrel was spotted and also we had another non indigenous animal brought in to us,” said Steve Byrne, the GSPCA Manager.
“An islander having been on holiday on their return and unpacking found a Madeiran Gecko.
“The finder thankfully had a vivarium all ready set up so caught the lizard which is around 5 inches long and brought it up to us here at the GSPCA,” he explained.
The process of finding a new home for non-native species can often be lengthy, such as the case with Barnacle Bill, and Mr Byrne is hoping the same challenges won’t be repeated on this occasion.
“The Madeiran Lizard has now been named Maximillion and is in quarantine at the GSPCA and like previous reptile arrivals if healthy then we will look to find it a new home as it is so difficult to get them back to their native lands, which we all know from the challenges with Barnacle Bill who is still waiting a boat from the Sealife centre in Brighton,” he said.
Barnacle Bill was rescued on the west coast of Guernsey in November last year following Storm Ciaran. The GSPCA was left caring for her for more than 13 months, as the charity struggled to find a suitable release location with proper import permits.
Challenges arose when trying to secure permits for Gran Canaria, Cape Verde, Turkey, Bermuda, and the Azores, but Barnacle Bill was finally transported to Sea Life Brighton with Condor Ferries’ free assistance at the end of 2024, where she has had further rehabilitation.
The plan is then for the Royal Navy to transport Bill, and other far-traveling turtles, to warmer waters.
With hopes high of finding Maximillion a home in Guernsey, Mr Byrne said this is all part and parcel of the vital work the GSPCA does to help domestic pets and wildlife alike, and is just a small part of their rehoming offering.
“We are always looking for loving homes for animals and we do have two musk turtles, many rabbits, ferrets, older cats and you will often see many ‘home to homes’ advertised on our social media so if you’re wanting to give an animal a home please do complete an online adoption form or pop in and say hello.
“We are about to enter Spring and we are already seeing lots of young animals needing our care from baby birds to baby bunnies. Our Angel Pen Pal Sponsorship is a way to donate each month to help those in our care,” he added.
You can find out more about the work of the GSPCA, the Angel Pen Pal Sponsorship, and animals looking for a loving home on its website HERE.