The monitor lizards of Lumpini

[reader]

NOTE — While walking the park with a few friends on a recent evening, we can across the first baby monitor lizard I recall seeing in the park. It found its way ashore, unfazed by a few admirers who were feeding turtles who gather in the same location nightly. It sniffed about before returning to the water. I always give the reptiles a wide berth but they have always been a source of entertainment, as are the weightlifters who push iron relentlessly not far off.

From The Thaiger

by Bob Scott

Bangkok’s iconic Lumpini Park is grappling with a surge of reptilian residents, as the city considers crafty manoeuvres to manage the thriving water monitor lizardpopulation that’s raised eyebrows, not alarms.

At the heart of the city, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) faces a slippery challenge: an uptick in water monitors roaming Lumpini Park and the adjacent canal along the bustling Rama 4.

Prapas Lueangsirinapha, the BMA’s Environment Department boss, recently spoke out about the concern bubbling among residents as these reptiles leave their mark on the city centre. While protected under the Wild Animal Conservation and Protection Act BE 2562, which forbids hunting or harming them, water monitors are more an asset than a threat.

Despite their fearsome appearance, experts from the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand assure the public that these majestic creatures pose no danger to humans unless provoked. In fact, they play a crucial ecological role, feasting on animal carcasses and keeping rodent populations in check.

Continues with photos 

https://thethaiger.com/news/bangkok/bangkok-tackles-rising-water-monitor-numbers-in-lumpini-park

 

 

[unicorn]

21 hours ago, reader said:

... monitor lizard...

[vinapu]

22 hours ago, reader said:

Despite their fearsome appearance, experts from the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand assure the public that these majestic creatures pose no danger to humans unless provoked.

I once almost stepped on one and quite sizable at that. Thinking likely about my last or next guy I did not note one crawling across the path in Lumpini until was may be 20 cm from the dragon. She ignored me completely crawling unhurriedly her way but I'm sure my blood pressure went to 250/180 

[Olddaddy]

I noticed a hell of a lot of stray  CATS🐱🐈 in Lumpini park 

I hope they don't eat the lizards 🦎but I guess they do 

Why so many cats 😡 

[vinapu]

25 minutes ago, Olddaddy said:

I noticed a hell of a lot of stray  CATS🐱🐈 in Lumpini park 

I hope they don't eat the lizards 🦎but I guess they do 

Why so many cats 😡 

lizards need to eat something

[TMax]

I've always enjoyed walks in Lumphini Park and it was good to see so many water monitors in the park on my last trip, as well as quite a lot of eye candy😋

[reader]

1 hour ago, Olddaddy said:

Why so many cats 😡 

You won’t find any undernourished cats in Lumpini. Many have been adopted by locals who come by daily to feed their favorites. The cats are territorial and hang out in the same places. I enjoy counting cats on each visit and came up with 41 spottings on last circuit.