It was belatedly reported that a large lizard estimated to be about 1 meter long was found on an apartment walking trail in Gwanggyo New Town in Suwon, Gyeonggi.
According to local communities on the 11th, a large lizard was spotted earlier this month on an apartment walking trail in Well-being Town in Iui-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon.
A video taken by a resident shows the lizard crossing the trail and going into the bushes. The video spread as it was shared among residents. It was later reported that there were accounts of seeing a similar lizard nearby.
The lizard that was seen is presumed to be a water monitor, an international Class 2 endangered species. A library is several tens of meters from where the lizard appeared, and an elementary school is about 300 meters away, prompting concerns about safety among residents.
However, there was also a claim that this lizard was a pet kept by a nearby apartment resident. According to residents, the lizard is believed to have escaped recently after falling into a pilotis space through a home window.
The lizard is said to have once gone outside in the past and been captured. It was also reported that the owner routinely carried the lizard on the shoulder or showed it to children at a playground in the complex, taking it outside.
The homeowner is currently searching for the lizard as well, but it is believed to be hiding in the bushes and has not yet been captured. Through the 10th, no reports related to the lizard's appearance had been filed with the police or fire authorities.
Recently, there have been a series of cases of unusual animals being found in urban areas. On the 18th of last month, a Siamese crocodile, an international Class 1 endangered species, was found and captured in Soyangcheon in Yeoju, Gyeonggi.