The Jaggers had been back in Guernsey for two weeks when they found a curious stowaway...
Mrs. Jagger was hanging washing when the gecko “fell on the floor” she said. According to her, the gecko didn’t move at first, then she screamed and her husband arrived and said “what is that?”.
In fact, it was a seven-centimeter-long wild Indian gecko that had accidentally flown 4,300 miles (8,000 km) in the luggage of this returning couple on their way home.
After catching the lizard in a bowl, they contacted the GSPCA and were amused that it had survived the long journey from Delhi.
GSPCA’s staff said they were not sure of the exact species, but they believe it may be a gehyra.
According to the GSPCA, the gecko is currently in quarantine and is “doing well”. They added it was “rare” to see wild creatures from “further east than Herm” brought into the GSPCA. Most reptiles they see are “unwanted pets or cruelty cases”.
Steve Byrne, GSPCA’s manager, said that this gecko is the “furthest travelled” and “most unusual” wild animal they have rescued.
"We have many bearded dragons and other reptiles, many in need of homes, but this is the first ever gehyra we have had in or even seen” he added.
Mrs. Jagger was hanging washing when the gecko “fell on the floor” she said. According to her, the gecko didn’t move at first, then she screamed and her husband arrived and said “what is that?”.
In fact, it was a seven-centimeter-long wild Indian gecko that had accidentally flown 4,300 miles (8,000 km) in the luggage of this returning couple on their way home.
After catching the lizard in a bowl, they contacted the GSPCA and were amused that it had survived the long journey from Delhi.
GSPCA’s staff said they were not sure of the exact species, but they believe it may be a gehyra.
According to the GSPCA, the gecko is currently in quarantine and is “doing well”. They added it was “rare” to see wild creatures from “further east than Herm” brought into the GSPCA. Most reptiles they see are “unwanted pets or cruelty cases”.
Steve Byrne, GSPCA’s manager, said that this gecko is the “furthest travelled” and “most unusual” wild animal they have rescued.
"We have many bearded dragons and other reptiles, many in need of homes, but this is the first ever gehyra we have had in or even seen” he added.
Gecko voyageur
Les Jagger étaient rentrés sur leur île de Guernesey depuis deux semaines lorsqu’ils ont trouvé un curieux passager clandestin…
Mme Jagger étendait son linge quand le gecko « est tombé » dit-elle. D’après elle, le gecko n’a pas bougé au début, puis elle a hurlé et son mari est arrivé en s’écriant « qu’est-ce que c’est que ça ? ».
En réalité, il s’agissait d’un gecko sauvage indien de sept centimètres qui a accidentellement voyagé 8,000 kilomètres dans les bagages de ce couple.
Après avoir attrapé le lézard dans un bol, ils ont contacté les membres de la GSPCA (société britannique de protection des animaux) étonnés de voir qu’il avait survécu au long voyage depuis Delhi.
Le personnel de la GSPCA a déclaré qu’ils n’avaient pas encore déterminé l’espèce exacte, mais ils pensent que cela pourrait être un gehyra.
D’après la GSPCA, le gecko est actuellement en quarantaine et « se porte bien ».
Ils ont ajouté qu’il était « rare » de voir des créatures sauvages venant de « plus loin que le port de l’île » être amenées à la GSPCA. La plupart des reptiles qu’ils voient sont des « animaux de compagnie non désirés ou des cas de cruauté ».
Steve Byrne, directeur de la GSPCA, a déclaré que ce gecko est l’animal sauvage qui a « le plus voyagé » et « le plus inhabituel » qu’ils aient sauvé.
« Nous avons beaucoup de dragons barbus et d’autres reptiles, la plupart ont besoin d’une maison, mais c’est le tout premier gehyra que nous avons eu ou même vu », a-t-il ajouté.
