This freakish-looking animal has dominated new reports for weeks now. It was found by a local girl, who made the right call to bring the creature to their vet.
And from that point on, things got heated quickly. The vet recognized the animal for what it was and warned the child: Stand Back!
The girl who found it
The small, initially innocent-looking animal was found in the most unlikely of places: a residential garden. Mia, the 9-year-old girl who found the creature when playing in her backyard
Simply picked it up and brought it inside their home—an act that later would be regarded as a very bold move.
Concerns
Mia walked into her home with the little black animal in her hand. She yelled for her mother to meet her in the kitchen so she could present her findings.
However, contrary to Mia’s excitement about the situation, her mother showed signs of concern when she entered the room and saw the animal.
Doesn’t look natural
The worried mother let out a small scream because of the creature’s unnatural appearance. She demanded that Mia put the reptile-looking animal back where she found it and wash her hands carefully afterward.
That thing doesn’t look natural, and you don’t know what germs it could hold. But that was the least of their worries.
I refuse!
Mia’s face turned sour after her mom’s request. She did not want to get rid of the animal and blatantly refused to return it. It’s my pet.
She’s called Lizzy, and I want to keep her, Mia stated. But the worries within Mia’s mother remained, so only a vet’s expertise could settle this argument.
To the vet
This was a request Mia could agree upon. She wanted Lizzy to be healthy, and maybe the vet could tell her what kind of animal Lizzy was so she could feed and nurture it properly.
But when they arrived at the veterinarian’s office, they were met with much more than they could handle.
Small box
The vet welcomed Mia and her mother into his office and started his investigation without much concern in his voice. He asked Mia to lift the lid of the container she kept Lizzy in so he could take a look.
But when he reached in to grab the animal, a loud sigh exited his mouth.
Panicked voice
The vet leaned back and seemed immediately shaken by the situation. His face turned pale, and his hands trembled. Mia looked at the blue uniform man in confusion and tried to ask what was going on.
But the vet interrupted her question instantly. Stand back, little girl. STAND BACK NOW!
Physical reaction
The vet’s voice was filled with panic. This increase in volume and seriousness caused Mia and her mother to panic, too—so much so that the young girl tilted her body in just the wrong way.
Making her arm accidentally tap the box Lizzy was in. And then the inevitable thing happened.
Crawling
The trio watched the box hit the ground with a soft thump. Nothing happened for a moment, but then Lizzie took her chance and escaped her confinement.
She crawled around the room while the vet hurriedly grabbed a see-through box and placed it over the animal. What’s going on? Mia’s mother asked, confused.
No escape
But the vet was so focused on the animal that he didn’t respond to the question. A set of heavy books was placed on top of the container to ensure Lizzy could not escape again.
When that part was secure, Dr. McDaniels stared at the container and its captive animal from an angle.
Smashing keys
He remained silent and refused to answer any questions. But pretty soon, both mother and daughter would find out why. The vet dropped down in his officer chair and rolled it to a computer in the back of the room.
From there, he started smashing his keyboard with heavy fingers. What was he doing?
Are you alright?
Mia’s mother listened to the vet’s panicked words and stayed away from the container and reptile. But Mia was not in a listening mood. She felt bad for her pet, who fell on the ground and wanted to check on it.
That’s why the little girl approached the table and reached out…
Snapped
Mia placed her hand on the container and proceeded to open the lid. I just want to touch her mommy to see if she’s not hurt.
But that action was rudely interrupted by Dr. McDaniels, who, despite not answering questions, watched every movement in his officer like a hawk. Stay away from that box!/p>
Making demands
Mia’s mother didn’t like the tone in which this veterinarian talked to her daughter. So, even though she obliged and asked her daughter to stay away from the container.
She also approached the uniformed man while demanding answers. But when she arrived beside him, she saw something worrisome on his monitor.
Frustrated and nervous
Dr. McDaniel was frantically searching for something, and now Mia’s mother could watch along. She saw multiple old websites and articles fly by.
The vet was mumbling something unintelligible and was clearly frustrated and nervous. What is going on, doctor? Mia’s mother now asked in a more calm voice to defuse tension.
Forcing a response
Why are you acting like this? Is there something with the animal? Please answer me, Mia’s mother kept repeating.
This round of questioning clearly bothered the doctor, who eventually turned around in his chair and faced Mia and her mother. Where did you get it? You can’t buy this animal?
Painting a picture
Now, it was Mia and her mother’s turn to provide answers. Mia’s mother didn’t know where her daughter found Lizzy.
She never bothered asking. So, it was up to the little girl to guide the vet in the right direction. I found my pet beneath one of the bushes in our garden, Mia explained.
Inviting them in
The doctor looked worried when Mia said this. What was the vet withholding from them? But the trought would soon come to light.
The man scrolled through a few more web based articles and eventually stopped on one of them. Yes, I finally found the one. Come over here and take a look.
Hey that’s Lizzy!
Mia followed the vet’s pointing finger, which eventually brought her to an image on his computer monitor. And that’s when a sight of familiarity finally hit her.
Hey, that’s Lizzie! she excitedly exclaimed. The young girl left her pet for the first time and watched the computer screen alongside the uniformed man.
Dangerous
Mia’s mother was still in the dark, but the vet’s dark expression spoke volumes. Then, he started to speak openly.
If my theory is correct, then the animal you’ve brought isn’t just any ordinary animal that can be held as a pet. It is extremely dangerous, the vet said seriously.
A scary recognition
He showed Mia’s mother the article, and after reading a few paragraphs, the confused mother also sighed in anguish.
Is this what that thing is? Mia’s mother stated that she remembered this article from years ago, but she did not understand how the animal arrived in their garden.
Leading the way
The vet asked if they now understood why knowing where Mia had found the animal was so important. We have to find out what is going on and inform the police if needed.
I will close my practice right now if you promise to lead us to where you found Lizzy, Dr. McDaniel said.
Inspecting the garden
Mia nodded, and after canceling all appointments for the afternoon, Dr.McDaniels got into the car with Mia and her mother.
They hurriedly drove home and inspected the bush Mia found Lizzy in. This is the place. I promise you, she said. The doctor, now in normal street clothes, inspected the foliage.
Found it!
It took him some time, but because it had rained last night, the ground was luckily still wet, so tracks remained visible.
Got it, Mia and her mother suddenly heard. The vet turned toward them, and for the first time today, he smiled at them. What? What did you find? Mia uttered.
Leading away from the property
Dr.McDaniels found tiny track marks on the ground, probably caused by Mia’s new pet. But that was not the only thing he found.
The vet said the tracks led away from their garden, underneath the fencing. What is behind your property? the vet asked, his eyes pleading for a quick answer.
Swamp area
Mia’s mother explained that a large forest was not far from their garden. However, the area was mostly swamp-like, so few neighborhood residents visited.
Yes, it smells bad there; sometimes, we even smell it inside our house, Mia said to the veterinarian. The vet looked at the mother and daughter with a worried look.
Heading into muddy pastures
Even though the place behind their home seemed vile, the vet wanted them to go. He asked Mia’s mother to lead the way, and together, they stepped away from the garden.
The ground beneath their feet quickly turned from solid sand to a more muddy pasture. And with every step, the animal’s imprints were visible.
Reaching the source
After a short 10-minute walk, during which the trio followed Lizzy’s footprints closely, they reached the place where everything would become clear.
A large pond filled with thick green goo lay before them. It smelled horrible, and everyone could confirm that this must be the source of the odor. What is this place?
Did this prove it?
Mia and her mother looked at the vet, who fell silent momentarily. It was clear that he knew something more.
Was this the theory he had back in his office? Did this pond prove what he feared from the start? The mother and daughter were about to find out because Dr. McDaniels started pointing.
Grass splitting
Mia and her mother followed the man’s finger and saw what he was pointing at. Between the high grass was movement, and not just any movement.
A rustling sound was heard, and then the tall grass split sideways. From there, multiple animals crawled toward them. And Mia recognized them immediately.
Recognition
Those are like Lizzy? Mia spoke with an exciting voice. She still saw these animals as her discovered pets, not knowing the severity of the situation.
But that was about to change because the vet strongly encouraged them to keep their distance again. Stand back! You don’t want them close to you.
Hypothesis confirmed
It is as I feared. We have a big problem, and not just us. The entire town might be in danger. Mia’s mom simply stared at the veterinarian.
She might have recognized the look of the article on his computer screen but didn’t remember what it was about exactly. But Dr. McDaniel would explain.
Fully grown
Their eyes grew wide as they looked at the pond. The water was infested with the same species as Lizzy, but these once were fully grown.
And they are much more dangerous, the vet stated. He figured that the only reason why Lizzy didn’t harm them was because she was yet a baby.
A laboratory
Dr. McDaniels explained that these creatures were not native. In fact, they are not native anywhere on earth. These animals are bred in a lab.
They don’t belong in this ecosystem, and that has disastrous effects. If their population continues to grow, we can only guess what that would cause, he explained.
A hibrid
Mia’s mother breathed in sharply. A lab? What do you mean? What is it? she said as she anxiously stared at the animal.
Dr. McDaniel pointed at the article and explained it was about the same animal they brought. It’s a cross-breed between a Gila Monster and a tortoise. Extremely rare and dangerous, he added.
You were lucky
The more the vet talked about the animal, the more worried the mother became. Subconsciously, she pulled Mia closer to create distance between her and the pond.
The bite of this animal is very venomous. You’re lucky neither of you were bitten; otherwise, you wouldn’t be here, but in the hospital, the vet said.
Medicin
The vet grabbed an iPad from his backpack and brought up the article. He scrolled down and pointed. The article was about eight years old, and back then, it was big news.
The vet explained that scientists discovered that Gila Monster venom could be used for antidotes and certain medicines.
How they solved a problem
But there was a problem. These creatures were fast and hard to handle. That’s why clever minds thought of a way to cross-breed these creatures with slow-moving tortoises.
That way, the venom could be harvested in a much safer environment. The new hybrids were easy to handle, but their venom was just as potent.
One in their area
It was a huge step in the medical development industry, he said. The vet explained that such laboratories appeared all over the country. And there was one in this area about eight years ago, he added.
But things went wrong. Government people inspected the facilities and discovered they were not up to standard.
Putting a stop to it
The living conditions of hibid animals were bad, and toxins from the animals somehow spilled out of the laboratories and polluted the water supplies surrounding all facilities worldwide.
Eventually, police even had to intervene and raid the places, arresting the malpractice scientists working in the laboratories. Production stopped after that point./p>
Police raid
Mia’s mother began to understand. But one thing still eluded her. She didn’t understand what this had to do with the animal Mia had found.
What has it to do with this? she asked. The vet continued explaining that when the police raided the laboratory in this area, things were missing.
Empty cages
The scientists were present, and most of the hybrid animals were captured. However, according to their data logs, two animals were absent when cages were inspected.
He continued to say that if Mia found one that was still an infant, it could mean only one thing. The two hybrids escaped and reproduced rapidly.
Disastrous effects
The longer Dr. McDaniel stared at the pond, the more worried his expression became. He sighed deeply. These animals are bred in a lab.
They don’t belong in this ecosystem, and that has disastrous effects. If their population continues to grow, we can only guess what that would cause, he explained.
Civilian risk
But that isn’t all, the vet added when he saw the concerned mother’s face. Dr. McDaniel repeated what he had said before.
These animals are very venomous, and their bites are a serious health concern for humans. People living in the area or walking past the pond are at risk, he said.
Understanding the severity
Mia’s mother instinctively stepped a few paces back and pulled her daughter along. She started to realize the predicament they were in.
So what can we do? she asked, but the vet was already deep in thought. A solution needed to be thought up, and seeing the size of this population, it couldn’t wait long.
There are too many
Dr. McDaniel mumbled as he looked out over the pond. Then he suddenly shook his head. There are too many animals to handle.
One or two I could manage, but nothing like this amount. I need serious backup, he said. Regina watched him grab his phone and call for assistance.
Calling back up
Dr. McDaniel explained the situation to animal control and told them it was vital to come over as fast as possible to assess it.
When they eventually arrived, it didn’t take long for them to agree it was a major problem. We have to deal with this carefully, they said.
Animal control
Dr. McDaniel explained the situation to animal control and told them it was vital to come over as fast as possible to assess it.
And luckily, they took the situation very seriously. A team of over 50 people arrived and searched the swampy area for weeks, eventually clearing it all.
A fair compromise
Unfortunately, Mia also had to give Lizzy to the animal control people. Lizzy wasn’t a pet to be kept by a civilian. But they did offer the sad girl a fair trade.
Mia received to rescue turtles, who she called Speedy and, you guessed it, Lizzy-2. A happy ending to an otherwise inevitable tragedy!