King of Katussas draws crowds

Pix and text by Athula Bandara

A rare colourful chameleon (Bodilima) has created excitement among villagers, after it was found in the backyard of a house in Villachchiya in Anuradhpura on Friday. The householder had found the lizard caught in a trap meant for animals who destroyed his cultivation at nightfall.

Realizing that it was no ordinary katussa, the villager had handed it to officials at the Pradeshiya Sabha, who had handed it over to Wlidlife officials at Pandulagama. On hearing the news of this rare creature villagers are thronging the Wildlife office to have a peek.

Chandana Jayasinghe the veterinary in charge of the Wild Life unit here says although it looks ferocious it is as mild as any other lizard and it would be released in to its normal habitat soon.

Meanwhile, villagers say a similar-looking chameleon was spotted in the Villachchiya area some years ago.