Renowned for rescuing King Cobra, Trikal Chakraborty saves Monitor Lizard in Silchar

The Barak Valley Wildlife Division team and conservationist Trikal Chakraborty have rescued a rather uncommon carnivorous lizard from a residential area in National Highway Road, Silchar on Monday. A Bengal monitor lizard surprised the residents of Nabodaya Lane and even the rescuer. The reptile was later released to its natural habitat following the due process.

On receiving a call from the residents of the particular lane, Trikal Chakraborty and a team from the Division rushed to the spot. The locals never saw such a reptile before for it is not commonly spotted here. The Bengal monitor also called the Indian monitor, is distributed widely in the Indian Subcontinent, as well as parts of Southeast Asia and West Asia. Even though they are shy animals, but can attack humans if provoked. While monitor lizards are venomous, but have a relatively mild effect on humans.

While talking to Barak Bulletin, Chakraborty said, “When I went there, I was not expecting this particular lizard. The locals first thought it was a gecko but I was also surprised to see a Bengal Monitor Lizard. Its head was stuck inside a tin can and hence was difficult to handle. But with the expert team, we safely took it to the Wildlife Division Office, freed it from the can, and then released it to its natural habitat”.

The entire operation was carried out safely and no human lives were harmed. When asked if this lizard was common to spot in the town, Trikal said, “Last we saw this species was during 2022 floods. We don’t know where it came from but it can be unsafe if comes in contact with humans. We sensitised the people of the area about this species before rescuing”.

Human-animal encounters are increasing owing to our constant interference with the natural habitat of the wild. Proactive steps must be taken to conserve nature and not affect the wildlife. If you spot any such unknown species you must not harm them or interfere, instead call the rescuers or the Wildlife Division Office.