Monitor Lizard Sighting in Northern Italy Prompts Public Safety Warning

A monitor lizard, an Asian reptile, has been sighted in the fields of Montichiari, in the province of Brescia, northern Italy, prompting local authorities to take precautionary measures.

The sighting, which occurred about 15 days ago, was initially met with disbelief. However, after a photograph of the lizard appeared on Instagram, the mayor, Marco Togni, confirmed its reality. The image was timestamped July 17 at 2:39 AM. This was not the first reported sighting; local farmers had also reported seeing the reptile in the same area.

Monitor lizards are large lizards originating from Southwest Asia and Oceania, typically weighing around 20 kilograms, though some species like the Komodo dragon can reach up to 135 kilograms. While there was initial speculation it might be an Argentine tegu, a similar-looking but harmless reptile, a veterinarian and reptile expert consulted by the mayor confirmed it to be a Varanus salvadorii.

"A species that can weigh up to 20 kg and contains glands with a minimal amount of toxins, so it must be handled with care," the veterinarian explained, as cited by Togni on Facebook. Given the potential danger of a loose animal searching for food, Mayor Togni issued an ordinance prohibiting pedestrian transit on the roads in the affected area, specifically along the border between Montichiari and Calcinato.

Traps and drones will be employed over the next ten days to locate the reptile and prevent its potential reproduction. The mayor of Calcinato has also joined the initiative, as the area is a border zone. The first person to photograph the animal, on the night of July 16-17, was Bhawan Dhanoa, an agricultural worker from India.

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A species that can weigh up to 20 kg and contains glands with a minimal amount of toxins, so it must be handled with care.