Escaped monitor lizard likely still laying low at Kadoorie Farm

A 1.5 meter-long water monitor lizard that escaped from his enclosure at Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden on Friday is likely still on the farm, said its senior curator Debby Ng.

Ng yesterday said the farm has a suitable living environment for the lizard and food had been placed around the farm as a bait to lure the lizard back.

Cameras had also been installed to record possible sightings of the lizard.

The lizard named Aberdeen was moved from its usual cage to a temporary small cage to be treated for a toe injury. The small cage, made of metal frames and wooden panels, was new to the lizard.

Ng believes that Aberdeen, not used to the new environment, could have snooped around the new cage and found a weak spot in the wooden panels to escape.

"Other lizards had been placed inside the cage, but none escaped," Ng said.

The farm is not particularly worried about Aberdeen's survival as it has "good instinctive behavior" from fending for itself before arriving at the farm.

The farm urges people to report sightings of the lizard and to watch it from a distance while waiting for the farm staff's arrival, so that the lizard does not escape again.

"If that's not possible, please meet our staff where Aberdeen was last spotted," Ng said.

The farm encourages visitors to keep a three to four meter safety distance from the lizard, as it is strong and could struggle hard when attempting to escape, though "Aberdeen is shy and will not attack people or follow people around."

The lizard can be identified through photos on the farm's Facebook page.

Sighting of Aberdeen can be reported by calling 6713-9881, or 2483-7122, or by sending an email to fauna@kfbg.org.