NEWS-PRESS (Fort Myers, Florida) 12 February 06 Officials, shops put squeeze on monitors - Cape gets help in bid to eliminate lizards (Charles Runnells)

While Cape Coral and other areas get tough on monitor lizards, the creatures still remain legal as pets.

But don't count on finding the predator available in stores.

Most pet stores don't carry the voracious lizards, mainly because of their reputation.

Scientists fret Nile monitors could destroy Cape Coral's burrowing owls and whatever else they can get their jaws around. And, if unchecked, the large lizards could spread throughout Lee County and Florida.

They already popped up last year in Sanibel. Who knows where they could show up next?

"I won't sell them because of the problems we're having," said Tom Guscinski, owner of Discount Pets in Cape Coral. "People will just let these things loose, and that'll destroy the ecosystem around here."

That's probably how they ended up hanging out near Cape Coral's canals and waterways in the first place. People likely bought them as pets years ago, and then quickly dumped them when they got to be 4 to 6 feet long, ravenous and mean-spirited.

Scientists and city officials estimate there are thousands of Nile monitor lizards roaming the Cape. That's the largest population in Florida and perhaps in North America.

U.S. officials are taking note. They're coming to Cape Coral Wednesday to survey the city's lizard program, and they're considering sending trappers and biologists to assist the city's trapping program later this year.

There also will be a 6:30 p.m. meeting at City Hall to answer questions.

Karleen Canas said she's glad monitors are getting the attention they deserve. Last May, Canas discovered the first confirmed case of a monitor lizard eating a burrowing owl.

"It's frightening," Canas said. "If something is not done, they're going to take over."

Because of all this publicity, the lizards' popularity appears to be waning. Pet shops report there isn't much interest anymore.

IF YOU GO

• What: Public meeting about the Nile monitor lizard

• When: 6:30-8:30. p.m. on Wednesday

• Where: Council chambers at Cape Coral City Hall, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.
Officials, shops put squeeze on monitors

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• FL Press: PUBLIC MEETING Officials, shops put squeeze on monitors - W von Papineäu, Sun Feb 12 17:37:47 2006