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7 November, 2025
Happy ending for injured monitor
An injured Lace Monitor has been successfully released back into the wild after surgery at the Southern Highlands Veterinary Centre.
An injured Lace Monitor has been successfully released back into the wild after surgery at the Southern Highlands Veterinary Centre.
The male monitor was hit by a car on Old South Road and taken to the centre by local snake catcher Ray McGibbon.
Vets decided to amputate the end of one of the monitor’s toes to avoid chronic infection and inevitable pain.
The centre posted a message on its Facebook page saying surgery was the “best course of action” to ensure the monitor could be released as soon as possible.
The procedure went smoothly and Mr McGibbon returned the monitor to its home range.
Those people who come across a Lace Monitor in the Southern Highlands are advised to:
· Keep pets supervised or inside to give the monitor time to move on;
· Never attempt to catch or move a monitor. They have strong claws and tails which they will use if they feel threatened;
· Call Ray McGibbon on 0400 734 225 if the monitor is injured or needs to be safely relocated.
Lace Monitors can grow up to two metres in length and are expert climbers. They are common in Eastern Australia and are known to forage up to 3km a day.
Lace Monitors are carnivores and feed on other reptiles, birds, eggs and mammals. They often raid chicken coops in built-up areas and are known to rummage through garbage bins in picnic and recreational areas.
Read More: Southern Highlands