Mayor Marco Togni urges search for missing monitor lizard in Montichiari

A water monitor (Varanus salvator) has been sighted repeatedly in the municipality of Montichiari, Brescia, prompting the local authorities to issue an urgent ordinance aimed at protecting public safety. Mayor Marco Togni has appealed on social media for anyone who knows the whereabouts of the animal – alive or dead – to place the carcass visibly on a roadside so the matter can be closed.

The Italian Society of Veterinarians for Exotic Animals (SIVAE) has offered its expertise to the mayor and the task‑force conducting the search, emphasizing that the ordinance correctly defines a capture strategy that safeguards both the animal and residents. SIVAE and the National Association of Italian Veterinarians (ANMVI) recommend a focused effort by specialist veterinarians, use of baiting and thermal cameras, and strict access restrictions to the search area to prevent accidental harm to the lizard.

The coordinated response seeks to end public speculation, ensure animal welfare, and restore normal life in Montichiari.