Resident Captures Giant Monitor Lizard in Pondok Rejeki Housing Complex, Tangerang

Tangerang, September 18, 2026 — A giant monitor lizard was successfully captured by a resident in the Pondok Rejeki Housing Complex, Kutabumi, Tangerang Regency, on Saturday afternoon. The incident quickly drew the attention of local residents due to the reptile’s unusually large size and the tense capture process.

Resident captures giant monitor lizard.

The person who caught the lizard was identified as Adit, a local resident living in the Pondok Rejeki area. He explained that he first spotted the reptile emerging from a drainage canal behind the neighborhood. The animal appeared to be searching for dry ground before wandering onto the residential road. Seeing this, Adit decided to capture it with the help of several nearby residents.

According to eyewitnesses, the monitor lizard measured more than two meters in length, with a body size resembling that of a small crocodile. The animal reportedly hid under a parked motorcycle before being secured using a rope and a large sack. Many residents gathered at the scene, some recording the event on their phones as the dramatic capture unfolded.

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon, September 18, 2026, at around 1:30 p.m. At that time, most residents were resting at home, and the neighborhood was relatively quiet. However, the area became crowded after word spread about the discovery of the giant reptile.

The capture took place in Pondok Rejeki Housing Complex, Kutabumi Village, Tangerang Regency, near a large drainage channel that connects to a small river behind the complex. According to local residents, the area is occasionally visited by wild animals such as snakes or monitor lizards, particularly during the rainy season.

Residents suspect that the monitor lizard had left its natural habitat due to heavy rainfall and rising water levels in the drainage system. The animal was likely seeking a drier place or searching for food, which led it to wander into the housing complex.

The capture process was carried out carefully to ensure the safety of both residents and the animal. Adit and several others used ropes and a large sack to restrain the lizard without harming it. Once secured, the reptile was handed over to local security officers to be safely released back into a more suitable habitat.

“At first, I was shocked by how big it was. We were worried it might enter someone’s house, so we caught it together. Thankfully, no one was injured,” said Adit after the incident.

As of now, the captured monitor lizard has been handed over to neighborhood security officers. It will soon be released into a safer, natural area away from residential zones. The incident serves as a reminder for residents to stay alert for wild animals, especially during the rainy season.