WHAT’S BEING CLAIMED:

• Georgia Department of Natural Resources has reported the spread of giant lizards in the state’s wildlife.
• Lizards are common pets by some Georgia residents, and apparently, some owners released the reptiles into the wild.
• DNR has advised owners that there are options for having their pets adapted instead of irresponsibly letting the reptiles free. 

It seems that 2020 has more for the world other than Asian hornets, giant gypsy moths, and coronavirus outbreak, as reportedly, giant and aggressive lizards have surfaced in the U.S that could create chaos in the local wildlife.

According to a report by Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the  Argentine black and white tegu lizard was seen scattering across several southern states, devouring the eggs of reptiles and ground-breeding birds and other, such as alligators and the rare gopher tortoise.

DNR warned that the lizards spread after owners freed them into the wild, and the reptiles are now seen as settled in some areas of Florida and Georgia.

The authorities of the DNR  is currently on the move in trying to eliminate the tegu lizards from Georgia before they can wreak havoc to the state’s wildlife.

According to wildlife experts, Argentine tegu lizards can grow as big as four-and-a-half feet long.

John Jensen, a DNR wildlife biologist, said that there are fears over the aggressiveness of reptiles, and it could leave the gopher tortoise displaced should the lizards continue to spread.

In a public service announcement video, DNR has circulated recently, “Have You Seen Tegus in the Wild in Georgia?”, Jensen said the reptiles have a negative effect on the wildlife as it consumes not just plants, but also eggs.

Jensen also urges the people of the state to report any sightings of the lizards, as it would help the authorities to decide on what area to focus on when trying to deal with the animals.

The biologist also said the lizards are typical pets and cautioned owners in Georgia not to let them free in the wild, noting that it was not the best thing to do. 

Jensen further advised that there are adoption organizations for these lizards if owners no longer wanted to keep them.

Source: New York Post