CAMBRIDGE EVENING NEWS (UK) 16 February 06 Fears grow for big lizard on the loose
A giant pet lizard has escaped from his owner's home after the family dog opened the back door and let it out.
Gonzo, a 4ft-long lizard, has been on the loose for four days and his frantic owner is desperately trying to find him.
Reptile lover James Burfield bought Gonzo four years ago when he was just 8ins long.
The creature lives in a specially-heated vivarium in his bedroom, but on Sunday afternoon his sister let him out for a walk, before she went out.
James said: "When I came home the back door was wide open. We normally strap a belt on the door to keep it shut because our dog Henry has a habit of opening it with his paws. So I can only imagine he has opened the door and Gonzo has escaped to have a little adventure."
The 22-year-old searched Gonzo's favourite haunts around the house and garden when he could not find his black and white striped Argentinian tegus giant lizard.
He said: "He is just like any pet and he likes to wander around the house. When he gets cold he likes to wrap himself around my PlayStation or hides himself between two mattresses in my sister's bedroom.
"But I have looked everywhere and he is nowhere to be seen. He has probably slipped out of the garden and, although he is a ground dweller, he likes to dig so I really don't know where he has got to."
Gonzo eats eggs, locusts, mice and white meat but James is afraid it could be dangerous for him if he is exposed to cold weather for too long.
The sales assistant said: "He won't starve because he will eat insects and snails. But I hope he has found his way into a shed or a garage somewhere to keep warm.
"He was quite aggressive when I first got him but now he is very docile and chilled out because he is domesticated.
"And he doesn't bite, I stroke him like a dog and he really likes it."
James, of Columbine Road, Ely, has contacted the police and all the local veterinary surgeries but no-one has spotted the giant reptile. Gonzo is just one of three reptiles that James keeps at home - he also has two jungle carpet pythons.
James said: "I don't mix them because the snakes are quite small and Gonzo might think they were food.
"My animals are always quite a talking point with people and everyone is always interested in them."
He is urging everyone in the Columbine Road area to check their sheds and gardens for Gonzo and to report it to the police.
Anyone who spots him should contact police on 0845 4564564 and quote incident number 0158.
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/ely/2006/02/16/2fdfb0ab-81c7-4ba8-aab4-b84833470f19.lpf
