🚨 Escaped Water Monitor Lizard in Massachusetts: What We Know
Overview & Incident Summary
A 5‑foot Asian water monitor lizard, nicknamed “Goose”, escaped from a home in Webster, Massachusetts on July 18, 2025, after leaping out of a second‑floor window into the woods below. The reptile was being illegally kept—its owner did not hold the state permit required in Massachusetts.
Where Did Goose Go?
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The lizard was last seen near Blueberry Lane in Webster, MA, and then spotted in Thompson, Connecticut, around the Little Pond area on Wilsonville and Thompsonville Roads.
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Officials believe Goose crossed state lines and may thrive near water sources, trees, or warm surfaces, especially as nights cool.
Lookalike Description & Behavior
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Goose is described as mostly black with distinctive white scarring on the back.
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Water monitors are not venomous but can deliver a painful bite with bacteria-laden teeth, and can inflict injury with claws and tails—especially if cornered.
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They climb trees, swim, and often feed on dead rodents.
Search Efforts & Expert Input
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Webster Animal Control deployed drones and organized searches after the escape, but no visual detection occurred.
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A reptile expert, Jean‑Paul LaPierre, began examining local woods for signs like tracks or droppings but admitted the lizard is like “a needle in a haystack” and likely won’t be found easily.
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Authorities have since paused the active search due to the difficulty locating the agile lizard.
Legal & Safety Implications
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In Massachusetts, keeping a water monitor lizard requires a special permit. Goose’s owner is under investigation for unlawful ownership.
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Officials advise do not approach Goose if seen. Instead, immediately notify animal control or police, who are collaborating with a reptile specialist to safely capture it.
Community Response & Public Advisory
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Neighbors expressed alarm and fascination, with reports of Goose jumping through screens, clambering onto roofs, and bounding off dramatically.
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Social media posts prompted playful nicknames like “Godzilla” and public commentary—even some community members donned lizard-themed costumes or kayaked the lake in jest.
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Local officials issued multiple alerts, urging residents to remain vigilant and keep pets indoors.
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âś… What You Should Do If You Spot Goose
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Do not attempt to capture the lizard yourself.
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Contact Webster Animal Control at 508‑943‑1212, or Connecticut State Police at 860‑779‑4900 immediately.
🧠Final Thoughts
The escape of Goose—a 5‑foot-long water monitor lizard—has turned into a regional story spanning Massachusetts and Connecticut. With no search success so far, authorities emphasize caution, proper responses, and the likely impact of illegal reptile ownership. While these lizards are generally not aggressive, their size, strength, and bacterial bite risk mean they should be admired from a distance and handled only by trained professionals.
Curious about water monitor biology, permit rules in your state, or recovery cases? Just ask—I’d be glad to dig deeper.
