What began as an ordinary walk through a Missouri park quickly turned into a shocking animal rescue after a man and his dog discovered a large iguana abandoned and bound to a tree with duct tape.
Todd Hall was walking his dog, Mochi, along a trail in Dardenne Park in St. Peters, Missouri, when the dog suddenly became fixated on something off the path. Curious, Hall followed his pet’s reaction and was stunned by what he found.
Attached to a tree was a large iguana with its legs tightly secured using duct tape. Hall said he initially struggled to believe what he was seeing.
“I thought, ‘That’s an iguana. Why would there be an iguana here?'” he recalled, describing the reptile as surprisingly large.
Realizing the animal was in immediate danger, Hall contacted St. Peters Animal Control, which arrived within minutes. Officers carefully wrapped the iguana in a towel before cutting away the tape that had bound its front and back legs to the tree.
The rescued reptile is now receiving care while local authorities investigate how it ended up abandoned in the park. Officials are working to identify the owner and determine who may be responsible for leaving the animal in such distress.
Hall, who works as a dog trainer, said he has been deeply encouraged by the public’s reaction to the rescue. He hopes the incident serves as an important reminder that abandoning exotic pets is never the answer.
He noted that many rescue organizations and reptile specialists are willing to help owners safely surrender animals they can no longer care for. Releasing them into the wild or leaving them tied up not only puts the animals at risk but can also create environmental and public safety concerns.
Animal Control officers believe the iguana may not have survived much longer if it had not been discovered. Despite air temperatures feeling close to 110°F (43°C), the reptile was reportedly cold when rescued—a sign that it was already under severe stress.
Authorities are now asking anyone with information about the case to come forward as the investigation continues.
Exotic pets such as iguanas require specialized care, including proper heating, nutrition, veterinary attention, and carefully controlled habitats. Animal welfare experts recommend researching the long-term responsibilities before purchasing reptiles or other exotic species. If owners are no longer able to care for their pets, licensed rescue organizations, reptile sanctuaries, and animal welfare groups can often provide safe alternatives to abandonment, helping protect both the animals and local ecosystems.
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