The People’s Committee of Xuan Thoi Son Commune said on May 20 that it had received a large water monitor from the security team of a construction project in the area.
The water monitor is discovered by workers at the construction site (Photo: Cong Bang).
The reptile was discovered by workers while construction was underway at a project site in Xuan Thoi Son Commune.
After capturing the animal, the workers transferred it to the project’s security department, which later handed it over to local authorities.
Representatives from the commune’s Economic Department received the reptile before transferring it to forest rangers for care and further handling in accordance with regulations.
Nguyen Cong Bang, deputy head of Mobile Forest Ranger and Forest Fire Prevention Unit No.1 under the HCM City Forest Protection Department, said the animal weighed around 6kg and measured approximately 1.5m in length.
The species was identified as a water monitor lizard, scientifically known as Varanus salvator.
The reptile belongs to Group IIB under Vietnam’s list of endangered, precious and rare forest animals, meaning exploitation and commercial use are strictly controlled.
According to Bang, since the beginning of the year, the unit has received and handled more than 1,700 wild animals from 60 species, most of which were confiscated in administrative violation cases.