Animals and travel: A blind traveler traveled about 8.000 kilometers in a suitcase

"It's a big surprise that it even survived such a long journey in a suitcase, plus it stayed sealed for another four days before it was spotted," said David Holgate.

5472 views 0 comment(s)
Photo: Shutterstock
Photo: Shutterstock
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

A couple from West Yorkshire, who returned from a holiday in Africa, found an unexpected guest in their suitcase - a baby lizard.

The tiny gecko, the size of a dime, was found four days after the pair returned to Wakefield from Zanzibar, having traveled more than 8.000 kilometres.

They spotted the animal after unpacking and called the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

The gecko is now being cared for at a specialist rescue center in Osset.

"It's a big surprise that it survived such a long journey in a suitcase at all, plus it stayed locked up for another four days before being spotted," said David Holgate, the animal rescue officer sent to collect the little lizard.

The RSPCA say that stowaways like this gecko are unlikely to survive outside temperatures in the UK and should be moved to specialist keepers, zoos or wildlife parks where they can receive adequate care.

A spokesman for the rescue organization Reptila Exotic, where the lizard is currently located, says that "accidentally imported geckos are often found among reptiles being rescued across the country."

"At the moment we have several of them from different continents.

"Once he settles in, he will be ready for new housing when the quarantine period is over," he adds.

The RSPCA advised holidaymakers to thoroughly check their luggage before departure "in case they too pick up a surprise stowaway".


Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk or send video here.

Bonus video: