Hitch-hiking water dragon ends up in Chichester after 10,000 mile journey
The creature made the trip from Australia in a shipping container
An intrepid reptile has ended up in Chichester after travelling more than 10,000 miles in a shipping container from Australia.
The water dragon, made the journey over six weeks from Brisbane through July and August.
He's now been taken into the care of the RSPCA specialist reptile centre in Brighton, who have called him Patrick.
They're looking for a suitable home on this side of the world where Patrick can thrive.
RSPCA Brighton reptile expert Laurie McColgin said:
“As Patrick is wild and was not born in captivity we would like to find him a large specialist home ideally in a zoo or somewhere with a large walk-in enclosure.
“It’s likely his voyage would have lasted at least six weeks. It’s unbelievable he managed to survive the ordeal, he is very lucky!
“He will need a very large arboreal set up with a large water source and lots of climbing branches.
“Once he is back to full strength we will be researching places for him to go.”
Patrick arrived at the RSPCA reptile centre in Brighton on August 31st, he was brought in by West Sussex wildlife protection.
The RSPCA receives calls throughout the year from people who have found exotic animals stowed away in deliveries or in suitcases.
RSPCA scientific officer Evie Button said:
“We would recommend always thoroughly checking your suitcase before leaving a holiday destination. Summer is a busy time for us as highlighted in our Cancel Out Cruelty campaign - we receive around 134,000 calls a month a month and our officers are flat out trying to prioritise animals affected by cruelty and neglect. So a few extra minutes checking your suitcase could help save our officers’ time.”
Recent stowaways this year include:
• Two stowaway lizards nicknamed Kevin and Perry (after the Harry Enfield characters) made an incredible 4,300 mile journey from Florida to Lincolnshire in a suitcase! The anole lizards, which are harmless tree-dwelling reptiles native to America, were found on 28 March after vet Mark Goodlad returned to his home in Kirton in Lindsey - following a family holiday to Disneyland, Orlando.
• A wall lizard discovered in the suitcase of a traveller from Andover, Hampshire after returning from a trip to Italy on 20 June. Sadly, the little reptile didn’t survive.
• In February, a traveller from North London who had recently returned from South Africa found a rock gecko in her luggage. The little creature was transported to the RSPCA Brighton Reptile Centre for rehoming.
Evie added:
“We would always advise people to treat any unidentified animal with caution until identified accurately and not to try to handle an animal that has been discovered as accidentally imported.
“We are incredibly busy over the summer months so if anyone does find a stowaway as they are unpacking it would really help us if they contacted their nearest zoo or exotic pet shop in the first instance - so our frontline officers can prioritise rescuing animals from cruelty and neglect.”