Huge Lace Monitor Rescued, Tumor Removed
Published by A huge lace monitor in Cairns is operated on to remove a tumor.
A lace monitor in Cairns, Australia, was found by a snake catcher. It had a tumor on its leg, extending up to its neck, which was infected and infested with maggots.
Image via Wikipedia
David Walton, the snake hunter, had a hard time getting the lace monitor down from the tree it was in. His shirt was shredded by its large claws and teeth. However, he managed to get it down from 50 feet up in the tree and to the veterinarian.
The veterinarians had to decide whether to euthanise or operate on the lace monitor, nicknamed Michelangelo, or Mick. Mick was feisty and had plenty of fight left so they decided to operate, and removed the tumor.
Mick is 1.5 metres long, and was underweight at 4.6 kilograms. The tumor 380 grams when removed, and the surgery took 90 minutes.
Mick has 12 stitches. He is currently being cared for by a wildlife carer and will be released back into the wild in six weeks if all goes well.
Check out more wild animal stories at www.endangeredextinct.blogspot.com
Catherine R Booth is the writer of several successful blogs, most notably www.endangeredextinct.blogspot.com ; www.printershopper.blogspot.com ; and www.scrimper.blogspot.com .
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On March 23, 2011 at 8:03 pm
What a beautiful animal! I’m so glad that he was rescued and taken care of. That snake hunter must be awfully brave!
On March 23, 2011 at 8:05 pm
very well written.
http://online-todays.blogspot.com
On March 23, 2011 at 9:01 pm
I could just hug that snake hunter for saving this awesome lizard. God, he’s beautiful! I’m glad the surgery went well.
On March 23, 2011 at 9:55 pm
Awesome – though wish I didn’t read about his maggot infested leg while I was eating my lunch.
On March 24, 2011 at 3:45 am
Lovely picture good post, thanks for sharing