An Unexpected Encounter on the Tarmac
A large monitor lizard latched onto the side of a small, spotted deer, its claws digging into the fawn’s flank as it struggled to maintain its footing on the wet asphalt. The deer’s head remained low, its eyes wide as it shifted its weight, caught in the grip of the reptile right on the shoulder of a winding, forest-lined road.
Cars slowed as they approached the scene, tires hissing on the damp surface. A black SUV pulled over a short distance ahead, coming to a halt near the edge of the trees.
A Decisive Intervention
The driver’s door opened, and a woman stepped out onto the slick road. She walked toward the animals, holding a bright red fire extinguisher in her hand.
She did not look at the passing traffic. Her focus remained entirely on the space between the lizard and the deer. She raised the nozzle of the canister, steadying her aim as she drew closer to the pair.
Turning the Tide
She pressed the trigger, and a thick plume of white chemical burst from the extinguisher. The cloud engulfed the lizard’s head and back, coating its scaly skin in a layer of white foam.
The lizard loosened its grip, pulling its head back and blinking against the pressure of the spray. The woman kept the nozzle directed at the reptile, forcing it to retreat as the deer scrambled to its feet, limping slightly as it moved toward the grass.
Once the lizard had backed away from the road, the woman lowered the canister. She walked back to her car, opened the trunk, and pulled out a large plastic water jug.
Care and Recovery
She walked back to the deer, which had collapsed on the edge of the pavement. The woman knelt in the wet grass, unscrewing the cap of the water jug with her thumb and forefinger.
She poured a steady stream of water over the deer’s flank, washing the white residue from its fur. The deer remained still, its breathing shallow and rapid, while the woman gently stroked its neck.
She tipped the bottle further, letting a small amount of water pool near the deer’s nose. The animal stretched its neck forward, pressing its muzzle against the plastic opening to drink.
After a few moments, the deer braced its front legs against the ground and pushed itself into a standing position. It took a tentative step toward the trees, pausing to look back at the woman as she continued to offer the water.
The deer took one final, slow swallow, pulled its head away, and turned its attention toward the dark, dense forest. It walked steadily off the asphalt, disappearing into the cover of the ferns and trees, leaving the woman kneeling alone on the shoulder of the road.
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