'He Knew All The Spots to Hide': Catcher Removes Goanna From Chicken Coop

An Australian snake catcher came to the aid of a Queensland woman who suspected a goanna of stealing eggs from her chicken coop.

Stuart McKenzie from Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 posted video to Facebook showing him wrangling the lizard from the coop, and using a tube to relocate the animal to another location.

“We received a call from a lady based in Woombye who has been having some issues with a goanna stealing her eggs for the past few weeks,” the Facebook post read.

“He definitely made it tricky, he knew all the spots to hide,” the post said. “Eventually we […] were able to catch and relocate him away, to some beautiful bush.” Credit: Stuart McKenzie via Storyful

Video transcript

- We just arrived in West Mumbai. Nice, big chicken coop here, as you can see. But there is a lace monitor inside, so it's actually in the shed over there.

- In that shed over there.

[BIRDS CROWING]

- It's definitely still in there. You can hear it. We have a goanna tube here, which is perfect for them. Acts like a follow-along.

[BIRDS CROWING]

All right. He's in behind this box.

Here he is.

- Yes, he's there

- Yeah. [INAUDIBLE]

[BIRDS CROWING]

Oh, there's his head right there.

[BIRDS CROWING]

He's gone behind there.

I just want to help, OK? I just want to help. You're all right. You're all right. [INAUDIBLE] a treat. You're all right. Can we get that off his feet? You're all right, bud. I'm here to help. We're just getting you our. I'm just getting you out. Tube, other end is finished. OK. Get in there. Good boy. Oh, that wasn't sketchy at all. [CHUCKLES]

I know a beautiful spot here, perfect for goannas. Big bit of bush, plenty of trees. All right, bud. This is going to be his head end. Oh, yes, it is. That should come. There you go. Look.