In St. Petersburg, a man is detained for stealing a rare lizard from the Leningrad Zoo
In the Petrogradsky district, officers from Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs detained a 32-year-old man who allegedly stole a rare lizard, an acanthosaurus, from the Leningrad Zoo. The thief, a resident of the Tula region with a troubled legal history, was taken into custody following a police operation after the zoo reported the missing reptile.
The lizard disappeared from the exotarium on Friday, August 12. Investigators say the culprit forced open the glass terrarium’s locking mechanism and removed the animal. Surveillance footage released by Life shows a man in jeans approaching the terrarium, inspecting the reptile, and calling a female companion dressed in a white T-shirt and jeans to join him. The man quickly seized the lizard and transferred it into his partner’s bag before fleeing the scene.
Zoo staff discovered the loss two days later and promptly notified law enforcement. Officials report that on August 16, near midnight, the 32-year-old Tula native, previously convicted, was detained at a residence on Narodnaya Street. The case was opened after the arrest, and investigators continue to gather evidence. The situation underscores why authorities treat animal theft seriously and how quickly a case can move from surveillance footage to custody.
During the investigation, authorities indicated the suspect was intoxicated at the time of the theft and had intended to present the lizard to his wife. Police later located the reptile dead near the detainee’s apartment windows. The suspect told investigators that the lizard had fallen from a 12th-floor window, explaining the loss as an accident. The zoo expressed regret over the incident, emphasizing its commitment to the welfare of all animals in its care.
The zoo’s press service stated that an internal inspection is underway and that measures will be taken to prevent a recurrence. Zoo representatives conveyed that the motive behind the crime remains unclear. They noted that acanthosaurs are not commonly kept as pets and are legal to purchase in many places, though they urged trusting law enforcement to handle the matter. The institution also mentioned that there are currently no plans to replace the missing lizard, despite its status as a bright exhibition piece that drew visitors, with the loss estimated at 21 thousand rubles. These remarks were shared with local media outlets to provide context for visitors and supporters.
Acanthosaurs belong to the Agamidae family and are native to Southeast Asia. They typically grow to about 24 to 30 centimeters in length and have a body shape that is slightly flattened along the sides. Their skin is covered with small scales, and they often feature a prominent back crest that may be composed of spines in some varieties. These details help explain why the animal stood out in the exotarium and why its absence was notable to staff and visitors alike.
The Leningrad Zoo, situated near Sportivnaya and Gorkovskaya metro stations, has occupied its historic site since 1865, marking 157 years of operation. It ranks among Russia’s oldest zoos and is recognized as the northernmost in the world. The original collection at the zoo included big cats, bears, lions, smaller predators, waterfowl, and parrots, providing a glimpse into the early ambitions of the institution. Even during the devastating siege, the zoo remained operational, preserving a portion of its animal collection and offering educational tours to visitors. A memorial plaque at the entrance honors this history, and the zoo still carries the name Leningradsky in memory of those events.
Today, the zoo features several pavilions, including a two-story exotarium. Visitors can explore an aquarium on the first floor, a terrarium on the second, along with a cafe, an insect exhibit, and enclosures housing mongooses, meerkats, cockfighting roosters known as phoenixes, armadillos, and hedgehogs. This diverse setup continues to attract locals and travelers, highlighting the institution’s ongoing role in education and wildlife conservation.
In summary, authorities continue to investigate the theft, while the Leningrad Zoo reinforces its commitment to animal welfare and visitor safety. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by urban zoos and the importance of robust security measures for rare species. Marked citations are available from Life for the CCTV release and local reports detailing the arrest and findings, providing a public record of the events as they unfolded. The zoo notes its intention to review procedures and work with authorities to prevent repeat situations and safeguard its collections for the public to enjoy.