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UPSOT captureThis creature didn’t escape from a zoo.It’s one of Lumpini Park’s resident monitor lizards.They’re said to be gentle in nature and harmless to people.But city officials say at over 400, their population here has soared out of control – that they shouldn’t be allowed to continue running amok.SOT Suwanna Jungrungrueng, Director of Department of Environment, Bangkok metropolitan administration”Although they don’t attack people, they damage the landscape, plants and flowers that we grow here, and damage the edge of the pond. We are concerned about the safety of people who excercise in the park.”Lumpini is a rare oasis in the heart of the Thai capital where people come to jog, bike and exercise.Its large pond is popular with families renting paddle boats… who are bound to encounter some of these reptiles bobbing their heads in the water.On Tuesday city officials rounded up more than 100 of them.Some wildlife specialists oppose the city’s view on the animals…saying they are actually contributing to the environment.SOT Tuanjai NOOCHDAMRONG, Director of Wildlife Conservation Office”They eat dead animals and rats. So these lizards actually help clean up all the bio-waste, and keep the environment free of disease .”The lizards will be transferred to a government-run animal sanctuary more than 100 km away from the city.
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