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Category Archives: Lizards

Crocs are the only ones that like Nokias

Posted on by Posted in Foreign News, Lizards, Reptiles, Retards 2 Comments

A 14 year old Crocodile is the only thing in the world that loves Nokia cell phones. In fact she loves them so much that she ate one. The phone was dropped in the water by a careless viewer where it was promptly eaten by the Croc. Caretakers for the croc in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipropetrovsk didn’t believe the claims until the called the phone and heard it ringing in the belly of the animal. The croc has been refusing food however surgical intervention will not be done unless she continues to refuse food for another week. At press time there is no word as to weather the phone was insured.

Crocodile found in luggage

Posted on by Posted in Foreign News, Laws, Lizards, Reptiles Leave a comment

A dead crocodile was found in a plane passenger’s luggage at an airport in Poland.

The three foot stuffed reptile was discovered by customs officials in Warsaw who were conducting a routine bag search.

Under European Union (EU) law it is illegal to transport the remains of protected species without official paperwork.

But the 19 year old who was travelling from Vietnam to the Ukraine with the dead animal insists he didn’t break any law because he was in transit from and to countries outside EU jurisdiction.

One customs officer said: “Prosecutors are deciding if any laws were breached and if they weren’t he can have his crocodile back. It seems a lot of trouble for something that is very nearly luggage itself.”

Ten-Foot Alligator Eats Golfer’s Arm

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A golfer whose right arm was ripped off and eaten by a 10-foot alligator says he never would have tried to play a shot near the water hazard if the course had warned him there were alligators about. The alligator pulled him into and under the water, and as his son and other golfers helped him stagger back to land, James Wiencek says, “the alligator swam away, having eaten plaintiff’s arm.”
Wiencek sued the Fripp Island Resort and affiliates in Federal Court.
Wiencek and his son went to the Ocean Creek Golf Club at the Fripp Island Resort near Beaufort on Oct. 8, 2009, for an afternoon round of golf.
On the 11th hole, Wiencek hit his ball near, but not into, a big deep pond, surrounded by a steep bank covered by long grass. The pond itself was dark and brackish, at no time allowing a hint of what lay beneath the surface.
“When the plaintiff reached his right arm towards the ball, without warning, a large, 10-foot long alligator spring from the brackish and dark water and attacked the plaintiff, biting and holding plaintiff’s right arm,” the complaint states.
“The alligator then pulled Plaintiff into the water and attempted to initiate a roll, pulling plaintiff underwater. Plaintiff struggled with the alligator, and the alligator tore plaintiff’s right arm off in a violent and vicious manner above the elbow.
“Plaintiff was helped to the shore by his son and attended to by other patrons of the course.
“The alligator swam away, having eaten plaintiff’s arm.”
Wiencek says that before the attack, “residents of nearby homes had noticed the alligator’s large size and aggressive behavior and had alerted the defendants to its presence and behavior.”
Despite having “actual and constructive knowledge of the ongoing presence and aggressive behavior of the large alligator,” the defendants “failed to take reasonable action to secure the premises of the golf course and to warn its business invitees, including the plaintiff, of the alligator’s aggressive presence, size, or aggressive behavior,” according to the complaint.
Wiencek seeks actual and punitive damages for negligence, pain and suffering, mental anguish, discomfort and disability.
He is represented by Mark Chappell and William McAngus Jr., with Chappell, Smith & Arden of Columbia, S.C.
The defendants are the Fripp Island Resort, The Ocean Courses of Fripp, Fripp Island Co. and The Marina Village of Fripp

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/01/20/33461.htm

Chicago Herpetological Society 18th Annual ReptileFest

Posted on by Posted in Amphibians, Conservation, Lizards, Reptiles, Snakes, Turtles, U.S. News Leave a comment

The Chicago Herpetological Society will host its 18th annual ReptileFest at the University of Illinois Chicago Physical Education Building on April 9 and 10. This family-friendly educational event will include hundreds of snakes, lizards and much more, and will take place between 10 AM and 5 PM on both days. Admission to mingle with the cold-blooded collection of creatures is priced at $10 for adults and $7 for children ages 3 to 11.

ReptileFest is North America’s largest and most dynamic gathering of reptiles and their fans, and includes participation from dozens of animal conservation groups and private collectors who put their amazing animals on display.

Highlights of ReptileFest include:

  • Hundreds of lizards, snakes and amphibians to meet and touch;
  • Come face-to-face, from a respectable distance, with impressive alligators and crocodiles;
  • Day long schedule of events geared toward children;
  • Educational lectures, Ask-A-Vet table and access to conservation organization experts;
  • Stock up on unique merchandise that showcases the wild side of life; t-shirts, jewelry and more will be available.

For more information about ReptileFest, including exhibitor and vendor registration and a discount coupon for admission, visit www.ReptileFest.com. Ample parking is available in UIC’s public lot immediately across Roosevelt Road.

No live animal sales are allowed at ReptileFest.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-chicago-herpetological-society-announces-18th-annual-reptilefest-113905674.html

Gator is back with a friend

Posted on by Posted in Conservation, Lizards, Reptiles, U.S. News Leave a comment

RIVERSIDE — Authorities are trying to verify a report of two alligators spotted at a slough in Riverside.

“We are looking to see if the report of two alligators at a slough near River Bend Apartments is true,” Riverside Police chief Rick Oliver said.

Oliver said a River Bend Apartments resident called the police department Friday to report the gator sighting.

“We called Game and Fish (the Alabama Department of Conservation Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries) and they came out Friday,” he said.

Oliver said Riverside police officers and the Game and Fish officials searched the slough all day Friday.

“One of our officers, Wayne Knight, observed something that could have been an alligator,” he said.

Oliver said officials were waiting on another sighting, and would continue searching for the gator.

“I haven’t personally seen the alligator, so I can’t say if it is the same alligator from back in May,” he said.

Last May, an estimated 6-8 foot alligator appeared in the slough at Riverside Landing. Numerous passers-by stopped and watched as the gator swam in the slough all day.

Game officials attempted to capture the reptile that night with a limb line, but were unsuccessful as it moved out of the slough to a new location, appearing in the slough near River Bend Apartments the next day.

Game officials again attempted to capture the gator, but were unsuccessful. The alligator disappeared and no further sightings were reported.

River Bend Apartments issued a letter to all residents Friday informing them of the alligator sighting and urging caution with children and pets. Residents were advised to stay away from the slough.

Game officials urge residents not to feed alligators, so the reptiles do not become accustomed to humans. Residents should not attempt to capture the gator or antagonize it.

Anyone who sees an alligator should call the Alabama Department of Conservation Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries District 2 office 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 256-435-1642 or after hours call the game watch number at 1-800-272-4263.

Oliver said individuals may also call Central Dispatch at 205-884-3333 to report any alligator sightings.