DAILY OKLAHOMAN (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) 11 January 06 Zoo says missing lizard must have special care (Karen Klinka and Ty McMahan)
A rare, endangered lizard discovered missing Friday from the Oklahoma City Zoo could die without the special care it needs, zoo officials said Tuesday.
Zoo spokeswoman Tara Henson said Oklahoma City police were notified Monday a female San Esteban Island chuckwalla was taken from the zoo's Island Life exhibit.
Henson said the zoo's remaining two chuckwallas have been removed from public exhibit for safekeeping.
Zoo officials noticed the lizard missing Friday evening and reported the disappearance Monday.
"This is certainly the exception to the rule," Sgt. Gary Knight said. "It's not every day we take a stolen reptile report, but we take it as seriously as any other larceny report."
Brian Aucone, the zoo's curator of reptiles, amphibians and aquatics, said San Esteban Island chuckwallas are a protected, endangered species, and taking one is a federal crime.
"Although the animal is valuable, even having it in one's possession without a U.S. government permit is illegal," Aucone said. "It would be very hard for anyone to legally sell that animal for a profit."
Aucone said the missing chuckwalla is tan-colored with orange-and-black mottling. The lizard measures about 12 to 13 inches long, from nose to tail tip, and weighs around half a pound.
The reptile is small enough to fit into someone's pocket.
In the wild, similar lizards live in a rocky, arid desert and eat specific plants to survive.
In captivity, the reptile needs a specialized environment in terms of temperature, diet and controlled ultraviolet light.
"They don't eat just lettuce," Aucone said. "Too much of one thing or too little of something else can lead to problems.
"If not cared for correctly, this animal can die."
Aucone said zoo officials are mainly interested in the animal's safe return.
"People can return it to us, with no questions asked," he said. "We really want the chuckwalla back so we can give it proper care and help it live a long life."
Aucone said anyone with information about the chuckwalla is asked to contact the zoo at 424-3344.
Zoo says missing lizard must have special care