Las Vegas man indicted for lizard smuggling

Thursday, March 30, 2000 | 9:15 a.m.

A 31-year-old Las Vegas man has been indicted on charges of smuggling 14 lizards from the Philippines to the United States.

The indictment alleges Don Astorga imported the lizards on June 9.

Astorga says he bought the lizards at a pet store in California for his 7-year-old daughter.

Included were two monitor lizards, which are listed as protected species.

According to the indictment, Astorga violated the Endangered Species Act by engaging in the trade of monitor lizards.

Monitor lizards are known for their long heads and necks, short powerful legs and whiplike tails. They typically grow to be at least 4 feet long, and eat almost any animal they can kill, including other reptiles, birds or small mammals.

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