Rock Monitor Rescued From Drain

The following story about a rock monitor was submitted by Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital in South Africa.

After realizing a drain was blocked, Althea and her family went to investigate. Astoundingly, they found a rock monitor (Varanus albigularis) stuck in one of the pipes! After FIVE hours of dedication and delicate carving away of cement, the monitor was safely rescued from the pipe and brought to Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital.

A medical examination revealed that the monitor was dehydrated and underweight. She was placed on intravenous fluids for a few days. We slowly started introducing food via tube-feeding EmerAid IC Carnivore. She is gaining weight and sass as the days go by. We are optimistic that she will be spending some of the festive season as a wild monitor once more.

We salute the rescue team for their unrelenting dedication to save this feisty girl: Vincent, Maggie, Althea, Amesh, and Michael.

Photos included here show the monitor enjoying a lukewarm bath (which facilitates hydration and assists in getting rid of old dry skin) and having a mixture of Silbecor and F10 ointment rubbed into her skin to lock in moisture and hydrate her skin as she sheds.