Authorities in northern Italy have launched a search involving thermal-imaging drones and baited traps after a giant Papuan monitor lizard, native to the rainforests of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, was spotted more than 7,000 miles from home near Brescia, prompting local restrictions and a wave of online attention.
A giant, potentially venomous lizard is on the loose in northern Italy, triggering a significant search operation to track down the animal. The Papuan monitor, a species native to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, was spotted in Montichiari, a town near Brescia, more than 7,000 miles from its natural habitat. Authorities have confirmed three separate sightings of the reptile over a two-week period and have deployed drones fitted with thermal cameras and night vision, alongside baited cage traps, in an effort to locate and capture it.
What the lizard is and why it’s dangerous
The animal has been identified as a Papuan monitor, or crocodile monitor (Varanus salvadorii), one of the longest lizard species in the world. Adults can grow up to 2.5 metres (8 feet) in length, though much of that is tail. A close relative of the Komodo dragon, the species is an expert tree climber, spending much of its life in forest canopies in its native range, aided by powerful, razor-sharp claws.
Wildlife experts describe crocodile monitors as highly intelligent and extremely agile, capable of scaling vertical tree trunks and moving quickly both on the ground and through trees. Although the species does possess venom glands, scientists believe the venom itself is relatively mild compared with that of snakes. The greater danger comes from the animal’s powerful jaws, sharp serrated teeth and long claws, which can inflict serious injuries, particularly if the lizard feels frightened or cornered.
According to Chicago’s Exotic Animals Hospital, Papuan monitors are “aggressive eaters” that will consume almost anything, and adult specimens kept in captivity require a “full room” of space. In the wild, their diet ranges from small prey such as eggs and rats to larger animals including pigs, deer and hunting dogs. Despite this varied and substantial diet, there are no documented cases of the species preying on humans in the wild, and experts say the animals generally avoid people, becoming defensive only when cornered or threatened.
The search operation
Local officials in Montichiari have responded to the sightings by deploying drones equipped with thermal imaging and night-vision technology, alongside two cage traps baited with chicken, in an effort to capture the lizard alive. Because the species is protected under international wildlife conservation rules, it cannot legally be hunted or killed, meaning authorities are focused solely on live capture.
The town’s council has also introduced temporary restrictions, banning residents from walking and cycling in the area where the lizard was seen, and instructing farm workers to keep their cabin doors shut as a precaution while the search continues.
Mayor Marco Togni told The Times he had initially doubted the reports. “I didn’t initially believe it could be true,” he said. “But we have now verified the image and we can say that it’s absolutely real.”
How the lizard ended up in Italy
Investigators believe the monitor may have escaped from, or been abandoned by, a private owner, though the exact circumstances remain unclear. Keeping a Papuan monitor as a pet is illegal in Italy without the appropriate authorisations, raising the possibility that a resident had been harbouring the animal without permission.
Togni said officials remain uncertain about how the lizard came to be in the area. “We don’t know how it got here,” he said. “It either escaped or was abandoned.”
A local legend turned viral sensation
In Papua New Guinea, local tribes have traditionally regarded crocodile monitors as evil spirits, believed in folklore to “climb trees, walk upright, breathe fire, and kill men.” That reputation appears to have contributed to the story’s rapid spread online, with the search operation attracting widespread attention on social media.
Mayor Togni himself has become something of an online personality as a result, with residents sharing AI-generated videos, including one depicting a wildlife ranger chasing the lizard along a swimming pool, and another showing a ranger performing a DJ set featuring a song dedicated to the mayor’s campaign, titled “Beware of the Lizard.” Togni has shared some of these memes on his own social media page.
Reflecting on the online reaction, Togni said: “It’s a lot of fun and I showed support with a bit of humour, but it’s important to also maintain an official tone. The situation afflicting this town is serious.”
Officials have urged residents to report any further sightings rather than attempt to approach the animal themselves, as the search for the lizard continues.
