Howdy there, curious friends, Howe Weird here, and Pip has requested I make one thing clear before we begin: he is not volunteering to inspect any storm drains. That job recently fell to animal control officers in Missouri, who got called into a reptile rescue that sounds like it came from the “wait, what now?” department.
According to UPI, St. Louis County Animal Care and Control said a large Asian water monitor lizard was found trapped in a storm drain along Niles Place in the southern part of the county. Animal control officers became reptile wranglers for the day and fished the lizard out of the drain.
The lizard, dubbed Gojira by rescuers, was taken to the county’s animal shelter on a stray hold. That sentence alone has a whole lot going on. Most shelter stories begin with a dog, a cat, or maybe a rabbit with opinions. This one involves a large monitor lizard with a movie-monster-sized nickname and, thankfully, a friendly demeanor.
Officials said an employee with proper facilities for caring for large lizards is currently fostering the animal. If no owner is identified after five days, Gojira will be made available for adoption. That is not exactly the same as bringing home a goldfish from the fair. A critter like this needs knowledgeable care, proper space, and folks who understand reptiles better than Pip understands sharing a windowsill.
A rescue like this also reminds us that unusual pets can become unusual public surprises if they get loose. A secure reptile habitat setup matters for animals that require special care, and a pair of sturdy work gloves is never a bad idea when handling messy outdoor jobs, though wildlife rescues are best left to trained professionals.
So here’s to Gojira, the friendly storm-drain surprise of St. Louis County, and to the animal control crew that turned a strange call into a safe ending. Pip says if he ever gets a nickname that dramatic, he expects a cape. I told him the top hat is plenty.
Original source: UPI — https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2026/09/10/Asian-water-monitor-lizard-storm-drain/2391789055712/