Latest news with #SantaClaraCountyParks
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Officials issue warning after hikers spot huge invasive lizard lurking in state park: 'If you see it, back away safely'
Hikers were shocked to discover a giant invasive species of lizard — the Argentine tegu — in a California park. An article in Smithsonian magazine revealed that the Argentine tegu was spotted in Joseph D. Grant County Park, not far from San José. After the invasive species was discovered by hikers, park rangers began to search for the lizard and told members of the public to keep an eye out. Though the Argentine tegu does not pose a physical threat to humans, these lizards are not meant to be in the United States and can cause serious harm to local ecosystems. This tegu could be an escaped pet, according to the Smithsonian. "Please do not go searching for the tegu or trap it," Santa Clara County Parks stated on Facebook. "If you see it, back away safely and notify rangers as soon as possible." Tegus can grow up to 5 feet long, and they eat eggs and hatchlings of native species, such as ground-nesting birds, snakes, alligators, and tortoises. Often, invasive species are introduced to ecosystems by humans, and their presence has the potential to decimate native ecology. They are fast to reproduce and make survival difficult for the plants and animals that naturally are part of the habitat. By competing with native species for food and water, the whole balance of the area can be thrown into chaos and endangered species can be pushed closer to extinction. Protecting native species by prioritizing native plants, animals, and habitats can conserve natural resources and ensure food security, and it can also limit the spread of diseases among both animals and humans. In Florida, it's illegal to own tegus because of how invasive they are, and officials are in the process of trapping and euthanizing as many of these lizards as they can. "We can slow them down, but we can't stop them. They're here and they're reproducing," Kevin Donmoyer, an invasive species biologist at Everglades National Park, said, per Smithsonian. Though tegus are illegal to own and breed in many parts of the U.S., including Florida, they are legal to own in California. Perhaps if the invasive species problem gets worse, local governments will consider tightening the laws around owning these lizards. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Invasive Lizard from a Continent Away Found Hiking in California Park
A black-and-white tegu lizard was spotted in Joseph D. Grant County Park in Santa Clara County on June 7 by a group of hikers Rangers then undertook a five-day search for the animal, which is native to South America On Thursday, June 12, Santa Clara County Parks shared on Facebook that the animal had been located and captured "safe and sound"An escaped Argentine tegu has been found "safe and sound" in a park in Santa Clara County, Northern California. The large invasive black and white lizard, which is native to South America, was first spotted in Joseph D. Grant County Park earlier in June, reported The Sacramento Bee. Park rangers then undertook a five-day search for the reptile, sharing numerous updates about their quest via Facebook. Santa Clara County Parks posted on June 7 that a "group of hikers" had initially seen the monochrome tegu and shared some snaps of the creature. The post added that the "non-native" reptiles generally eat "bird eggs, small birds, small lizards, and various small mammals and invertebrates." The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Rangers assured park-goers that tegus are generally "docile" but added that they "do not belong in county parks," so they urged anyone who spotted the animal to tell department staff. A subsequent update on June 7 urged the public not to hunt the tegu or try to trap it, adding that "park rangers are actively conducting foot patrols around Grant Lake to locate it." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Meanwhile, on June 11, the search was still ongoing, with a Facebook update noting that park rangers were "working collaboratively with state and local agencies to locate and safely remove the tegu." Finally, on June 12, Santa Clara County Parks shared on Facebook that officials located the tegu on the dam at Grant Lake in Joseph D. Grant County Park. Rangers added that the reptile had been 'safely' captured. 'The tegu will be held by Santa Clara County Animal Services pending adoption should no rightful owner claim the reptile. The Department is thrilled that the tegu was found safe and sound and is on its way to finding a home,' the post concluded. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, tegus can grow to 4 feet long and weigh as much as 10 lbs. The agency added that the reptiles generally carry Salmonella bacteria and are a threat to wildlife. Joseph D. Grant County Park covers 10,882 acres and is about 60 miles southeast of San Francisco. Read the original article on People
Miami Herald
15-06-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Invasive creature spotted by hikers at California park captured, officials say
An invasive creature native to South America has been found and captured at a Northern California park, officials reported. Hikers spotted the Argentine black and white tegu at Joseph D. Grant County Park earlier in June, Santa Clara County Parks said Friday, June 6, on Facebook. Rangers began looking for the invasive lizard, but workers doing routine maintenance spotted it on a dam at Grant Lake on Thursday, June 12, officials told McClatchy News in an email. Rangers and workers captured the lizard before California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers and Santa Clara County animal control officers moved it to the animal shelter. Officials said they are looking for the tegu's owner, but if they cannot be found the lizard will be put up for adoption. Park officials said they are 'thrilled that the tegu was found safe and sound and is on its way to finding a new home.' The hikers who first spotted the lizard took photos of the lizard and reported it to park rangers, McClatchy News reported. 'These lizards are not native to the area and tend to eat bird eggs, small birds, small lizards, and various small mammals and invertebrates,' rangers said. Argentine black and white tegus can reach up to 4 feet long and weigh 10 pounds or more, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said. 'They are docile so they won't harm people, but they do not belong in county parks,' California rangers said. In a follow-up post June 7, officials said rangers were actively searching for the creature. 'Please do not go searching for the tegu or trap it,' rangers warned. 'If you see it, back away safely and notify rangers as soon as possible.' Several people commenting on the post suggested the lizard may have been an escaped or abandoned exotic pet. 'Poor guy, I hope he escaped and wasn't dumped,' read one comment. The 10,882-acre park is located in the foothills, park officials said. It's about a 60-mile drive southeast from San Francisco.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Large, black and white tegu lizard found wandering California park
June 13 (UPI) -- A large black and white tegu lizard spotted on the loose in California was safely captured by employees at a public park. Santa Clara County Parks said on social media that maintenance staff and park rangers worked together when the Argentine tegu was spotted on the dam at Grant Lake in Joseph D. Grant County Park. Santa Clara County Animal Services and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were contacted and safe transport was arranged to take the lizard to a county animal shelter. "The tegu will be held by Santa Clara County Animal Services pending adoption should no rightful owner claim the reptile," parks officials wrote. "The department is thrilled that the tegu was found safe and sound and is on its way to finding a home."
UPI
13-06-2025
- General
- UPI
Large, black and white tegu lizard found wandering California park
June 13 (UPI) -- A large black and white tegu lizard spotted on the loose in California was safely captured by employees at a public park. Santa Clara County Parks said on social media that maintenance staff and park rangers worked together when the Argentine tegu was spotted on the dam at Grant Lake in Joseph D. Grant County Park. Santa Clara County Animal Services and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were contacted and safe transport was arranged to take the lizard to a county animal shelter. "The tegu will be held by Santa Clara County Animal Services pending adoption should no rightful owner claim the reptile," parks officials wrote. "The department is thrilled that the tegu was found safe and sound and is on its way to finding a home."
