The death of a Colorado man, Christopher Ward, in February has been linked to a rare and deadly encounter with a pet Gila monster. An autopsy report from the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office revealed that Ward died due to complications of Gila monster envenomization, with heart and liver problems also contributing to his death.
Ward endured a four-minute-long bite from the lizard to his right hand on the night of Feb. 12, lapsing in and out of consciousness for two hours before seeking medical attention. Paramedics found him minimally responsive and in severe distress, leading to his hospitalization and eventual decline.
His girlfriend, who was present during the incident, called 911 after finding the lizard latched onto Ward. The Gila monster, named Winston, was purchased at a reptile exhibition in Denver, along with another younger Gila monster named Potato.
Experts, including Kevin Torregrosa from the Bronx Zoo, described the incident as incredibly rare, with Gila monsters typically using their venom as a defense mechanism rather than actively hunting. The venomous bite is delivered through grooves in their teeth, causing intense pain.
Keeping Gila monsters as pets is illegal in Lakewood, where the incident occurred, leading to the removal of both lizards to a reptile zoo in South Dakota. Additionally, 26 spiders of different species were removed from the residence.
Gila monsters, native to the Southwestern United States and Mexico, are known for their vibrant color patterns and slow, lumbering movements. While they can strike quickly, experts advise that avoiding being bitten is relatively easy as long as one does not provoke the lizard.
The Bronx Zoo, which houses Gila monsters in its reptile exhibit, uses caution when handling the animals to prevent incidents. Torregrosa emphasized the importance of paying attention and respecting the animals’ natural behaviors to avoid dangerous encounters.
