I received a group of 7 animals from the museum after it closed...2 stunted male Rhinoceros Iguanas and 5 Ctenosaurs (Spinytail Iguanas). The condition of these animals when they arrived was appalling and just heartbreaking. The Rhinos were undersized and underweight with multiple old scars and poor skin condition. The smaller of the two is suffering from some neurological damage that I'm not sure will improve and he's missing all but 6 inches of his tail. The poor things are scared to death and are not used to human interaction at all. Fortunately they are eating machines and are gaining weight quickly. They are also tolerating handling better for their treatments.
The Ctenos have multiple skin lesions that are being treated as both fungal and bacterial. All but one were grossly underweight. Some had abscesses. They are also eating well and 4 of them have wonderful temperaments, considering that they are Spinytails! All have the potential to be gorgeous lizards.
It's maddening to know that this neglect and abuse went on in that place for so long. I know that several other animals removed from the museum died shortly after rescue, including a beautiful Cyclura Iguana and a Caiman lizard. I also know that this place had been under investigation for at least 2 years. Such a shame that something wasn't done sooner.
