Monitor lizard gets hit by car
Monitor lizards in Thailand look like baby crocs due to their scaly and reptilian nature. Yikes! Even though they’re not the most popular animals – its name in Thai is even used as a swear word – they are a threatened species that should be preserved.
Automobile incidents are one of the reasons for their declining population.
Recently, Tu, a monitor lizard was hit by a car. The reptile was brought to the vet by a kind passerby, where it underwent a CT scan that showed a fractured skull and other major injuries.
Let’s see how this story has a happy ending.
Sensitivity Warning: An image below shows a bloody monitor lizard in a CT scan.
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Monitor lizard has several severe injuries
A monitor lizard, later named “Tu” by his caretakers, was hit by a car. It was discovered on the road by a passerby, who carried the lizard to the emergency room at Panalai Veterinary Hospital for intensive care, according to Matichon. A CT scan reveals that Tu has a fractured skull, a broken rib cage, and crushed lungs, according to post from 9th July 2021 on the veterinary hospital’s Facebook page.
Further assessment shows that Tu has also suffered major blood loss – particularly from a laceration found on one of the main arteries located in the monitor lizard’s tongue. The reptiles’ severe injuries have resulted in Tu becoming comatose.
Image credit: Sanook
Upon arrival, Tu was wrapped in a cloth and placed on a bed for treatment. Due to the severity of the monitor lizard’s injuries, the veterinarians decided that the reptile needed a CT scan in order to properly assess the impact of the crash and provide Tu with an accurate treatment plan.
Image credit: โรงพยาบาลสัตว์พนาลัย – Panalai Veterinary Hospital
The vets’ goal is to rehabilitate Tu to a point where the monitor lizard is ready to be released into the wild.
Panalai Veterinary Hospital has created an online crowdfunding campaign in order to cover Tu’s medical expenses.
If you wish to assist the vets into Tu’s recovery, here are the details.
- Bank name: Krungthai Bank
- Account name: Animal Rescue Fund by Panalai Veterinary Hospital.
- Account number: 077-6-01814-0
Image credit: Sanook
Netizens support Tu and his medical team
Fortunately, Tu is already receiving donations and words of encouragement from netizens. In the comments section of the veterinary hospital’s post, social media users have expressed their concern for the monitor lizard as well as its medical team.
Screenshot: โรงพยาบาลสัตว์พนาลัย – Panalai Veterinary Hospital
Translation: I want to help, is there a crowdfunding campaign?
Screenshot: โรงพยาบาลสัตว์พนาลัย – Panalai Veterinary Hospital
Translation: May I please have your institution’s bank account number so I can donate to your campaign?
Some users have also added transfer slips from their donations.
Screenshot: โรงพยาบาลสัตว์พนาลัย – Panalai Veterinary Hospital
Translation: Just helping Tu a little.
Screenshot: โรงพยาบาลสัตว์พนาลัย – Panalai Veterinary Hospital
Translation: Let’s keep helping.
Monitor lizards are threatened in Thailand
Monitor lizards are a protected species in Thailand – their population is declining due to habitat loss. The reptile plays an important role in the ecosystem – it consumes smaller animals, creating a balanced environment for Thailand’s fauna.
This is probably one of the reasons why Tu is deeply cared for, in addition to the fact that those helping him have hearts of gold.
We’re excited for Tu’s safe return into nature, where he can roam freely without worrying about being hit by a car.
Cover images adapted from: Sanook
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