BELGIUM: Mozart the iguana must have one of his two penises amputated after one became permanently erect following a mating session

Record ID: 818267

  • Title: BELGIUM: Mozart the iguana must have one of his two penises amputated after one became permanently erect following a mating session
  • Date: 27th January 2007
  • Summary: TILT UP ACROSS "AQUATOPIA" POSTER
  • Embargoed: 11th February 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Belgium
  • Country: Belgium
  • Topics: Nature / Environment,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA2S6M1FKVBISY89KGLDGI5VJVF
  • Story Text: Mozart, an iguana stuck with a permanent erection after a mating session at a Belgian zoo, must have his penis amputated, veterinarians said on Thursday (January 25).
    The reptile was in the middle of mating last week when his potential partner walked away.
    He's had a permanent erection ever since and dragging it along his sandy habitat hasn't helped. He has developed an infection and was moved into quarantine by his caretakers with the hope that the problem could be resolved without surgery.
    "I don't want to lose him and I don't think we're going to lose him but the best I think is for the vet to explain what he's going to do and we shall see," said Peter Van Genechten, caretaker of the iguanas at the Aquatopia Zoo.
    As veterinarian Dr. Luc Lambrecht cleaned Mozart this morning he realised there was no sufficient blood supply to his reproductive organ. He said if nothing was done, the reptile could die.
    "An infection can get inside and may kill the animal. Therefore, if I see this morning the lesions, as veterinarian, I think it's necessary to do an amputation of one of the two penises of this animal," Lembrecht said.
    "For me, it's very important that the animal feels well, and of course that he is not dying. And if we let it like it is now, than we will have this problem. So, I think that the best decision is to do the operation," Genechten agreed.
    The good news for Mozart is that, because male iguanas have two penises, he will still be able to reproduce even after the amputation.
    Part of the Park Plaza Astrid hotel in Antwerp, Aquatopia houses no less than 350 species of fish and other reptiles in its private zoo.
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