Monitor lizard beaten to death at club in Chennai

CHENNAI: A monitor lizard, a species protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, was allegedly beaten to death by a staff of the Madras Cricket Club (MCC) in Chennai on Thursday evening. The incident occurred inside the club premises near Chepauk, and the reptile died before rescuers could reach the spot. According to preliminary accounts, the lizard, about 3 ft long, had strayed into the clubs area when a staffer struck it with a blunt object, apparently out of fear. Members of a local wildlife rescue team said they received a distress call but found the animal dead upon arrival.Wildlife experts condemned the killing, calling it a serious violation of the Wildlife Protection Act. This is a clear case of wildlife cruelty and ignorance, said a rescuer familiar with the case. T Ritto Cyriac, Chief Conservator of Forests, told TNIE that an inquiry will be held and action will follow. Conservationists say the incident underscores the need for awareness as animals like monitor lizards are often sighted in the city but rarely pose a threat. The forest ranger said the team is probing based on CCTV footage. When contacted, a MCC official claimed that the lizard was only restrained and the forest department was informed.