Phu Quoc National Park releases rescued water monitor

A 2-meter-long, 20-kilogram water monitor was released back into the wild in Phu Quoc after wandering into a restaurant kitchen.

On August 14, an employee at Camia Restaurant discovered the large reptile in the kitchen area. After ensuring the animal's safety, the staff contacted a local wildlife enthusiast who identified the creature as a water monitor, a species listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book.

The animal was temporarily cared for before being handed over to the Phu Quoc National Park Management Board. Following an inspection that confirmed the monitor was uninjured and in stable health, authorities coordinated with local residents to release the animal back into the natural forest on August 15.