Asian lizard escapes from Illinois cage

BENTON, Ill. -- Derek Freeman reported Joanna missing more than two weeks ago.

The 40-pound, 6-feet-6-inch long Asian water monitor made a run for it on June 18 after prying the top of her cage loose.

But residents in the Lake Moses area did not find out about the runaway lizard until Tuesday.

Franklin County Sheriff Bill Wilson said he didn't alert residents sooner because he wasn't sure where the semi-aquatic reptile had fled to.

"We didn't know where it went or even which way it went," said Wilson. "We took the report when it came in, but I don't know what else we could have done."

Dave Cooper got a good look at Joanna Thursday morning as he walked to a pond behind his home.

"I was walking toward the pond about seven o'clock this morning when I saw this big head pop up out of the water. It looked like a python almost," Cooper said. "It just stared at me a few seconds and then went back under the water. Its head was probably six or eight inches wide, very similar to a python. I didn't realize what it was right away and then it dawned on me -- that's IT!"

Freeman bought Joanna after she and another lizard managed to escape from their previous owner in Florida.

"The male was never found," he said.

Freeman, who lives on Highway 14 east of Benton, said he doesn't believe Joanna would attack a human, but he's not so sure about small animals.

"I don't believe she would mess with a person, but if anybody has small dogs or cats I think there's a lot to worry about," Freeman said.

Marlene Richardson lives on the opposite side of the road from Cooper and was walking to the small pond Thursday when the lizard suddenly appeared, hissed loudly, then headed back toward the water.

"I'm not amused at all and the nonchalant attitude the owner has taken is irritating," she said.

Another resident called Wilson's office late Thursday.

"The woman that called with the report said she saw her running down Sam Pyle Bridge Road and then she jumped in Lake Moses and went under water," said Wilson. "There's no telling where she's at now. Lake Moses covers a lot of area."