Story from the Trails

This summer at Animal Caretakers camp we ate snack in various spots in the preserve. On the day we snacked by the pond one camper exclaimed “Whoa that is a big lizard.” I was eager to see what intrigued her. “I want to see!” She pointed up a live oak tree to a branch well above head. Immediately it was clear that someone had release their pet likely a young iguana species. “Oh this is a bummer. I believe someone brought their pet out here and thought it would be okay to leave it in these woods.” My campers conversed about all the reasons this was bad for the poor abandoned animal and for the habitat and native animals that live here. I was so impressed by their compassion and environmental understanding at eight to eleven years old. We had to do something for this creature. 
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I called our Animal Care Manager Heather Gabel and asked if there were any staff available to help get this iguana in a box. “Uh I think we are going to need a ladder and a box. And probably some gloves too because I’m guessing this creature may bite.” Soon Volunteer Coordinator Jamie Washington and volunteer Lee Bender came swiftly down the trail with all the requested tools. Lee’s plan was to approach the lizard from a higher point as to not scare it further up the tree. Silence came over the group of campers as their eyes were glued to the rescue mission. On first approach Lee gently touched the iguana to gauge the reaction and movement. Nothing. I wondered how long this creature had been here and if it had remained for some time in a desiccated state in the tree. Released pets often do not fare well in the wild.
nnFinally Lee goes for the grab. No struggle. “It’s plastic!” Lee declared. “Ha!” The kids exploded in laughter and relief. We all wondered how long it had been there. It was also a relief to know that we would not have to sort out who was going to escort the critter to a willing friend of herps for re-homing.

When telling the story with staff at lunch Melanie wondered if our fearless Facilities Maintenance leader Steven Wolcott had placed it there to see how long it would take for one of us to notice. He was just mentioning to her that he saw a strange lizard by the pond but it got away. It was about the right height for him to extend his arm and place it in a tree well out the reach of just about everyone. While it never became clear how the plastic iguana came to rest in the live oak tree near the pond the faux critter created a lot of excitement and discussion and it inspired ideas for future camp trail activities.
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