An “extremely large lizard” has been found on the loose on the island of Guernsey.

The reptile, which is nearly three feet long, is so big it was kept in a dog kennel by rescuers at the Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA).

Steve Byrne, the GSPCA manager, said rescuers are trying to find the owners of the lizard which they believe is a tegu.

The reptiles are native to Central and South America.

The GSPCA were called at around 4:30pm on Friday to the parish of Castel on the island.

Rescue officers Geoff George and Neil Hughes attended the scene and were said to be “very surprised to what they found”.

Mr Neil Hughes said: “When we are called out to lizards they are often bearded dragons or sometimes tiny lizards found in suitcases from holidaymakers returning home.

“Today when I attended the scene in Castel I was faced with the largest lizard rescue I have been called out to which was a real surprise.

“Geoff managed to restrain the extremely large lizard which we have now safely transported to the GSPCA.”

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Steve Byrne, GSPCA manager, said “We are currently trying to find the owner of the extremely large lizard and also trying to identify the exact species, which we believe is a tegu.”

“It is so big it is currently in a kennel as we don’t have a vivarium large enough.

“Being nearly three feet long it is certainly the largest reptile in our care.”

The GSPCA said it has a number of reptiles it is trying to home, including two snakes and a bearded dragon.

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