PLANTATION, FLA. (WSVN) - An iguana was found shot with multiple arrows Wednesday morning in Plantation.
“Had one going in his cheek like this, sticking out,” said Daniel Drake of the Wildlife rescue organization Jungle Birds R’ Us, “had one going through his elbow, hanging out like that, had one hanging out the side of him. It was just nasty.”
Drake said he was called out to the west Broward neighborhood, tasked with capturing the wounded reptile.
NEW: The iguana shot by 5 arrows and found in Plantation is now out of surgery and doctors say he’s not out of the woods yet but only time will tell how he heels and recovers @wsvn pic.twitter.com/Py9zdPG2Th
— Franklin H. White (@FranklinOnAir) January 17, 2018
Residents had spotted the injured iguana walking around in the area for several days, and believe someone shot it with a crossbow.
Photos show that the iguana was hit five times by arrows in its head, legs and torso.
Drake transported the iguana to the South Florida Wildlife Center, where the animal underwent emergency surgery.
“One of the darts, at least four inches long, was still lodged up inside his body,” said Dr. Amanda Grant of the South Florida Wildlife Center. “That was the one I was most concerned about because of the risk of internal injuries.”
It took doctors over an hour to remove the arrows. “Those arrows did enter his abdominal cavity. There were several holes that had to be repaired,” said Grant.
Doctors said the iguana’s road to recovery will be tough and that only time will tell how it heals. “He’s certainly at risk for infection. These arrows have been in his body for apparently a couple of days,” Grant said.
The reptile will remain on pain medications and antibiotics as he continues to recover.
“Animals are like people. People just don’t understand that, but they’re like people,” said Drake. “They have feelings, too. People say they don’t, but they do.”
If you have any information on this injured iguana, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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