Kadoorie Farm's water monitor lizard Aberdeen passes away

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden announced today (Sept. 25) that Aberdeen, a water monitor lizard as well as their animal ambassador, passed away on Aug. 30 at the age of approximately 16.

According to the farm, the typical lifespan of captive water monitors ranges from 10 to 15 years. Veterinarians believe Aberdeen's cause of death was likely related to old age, as the lizard had been suffering from hypertension and likely experienced a severe heart attack.

Aberdeen was discovered near Hong Kong International Airport in 2015 and was relocated to Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden in February of the same year.

The farm noted that Aberdeen was likely smuggled into HK due to the illegal pet trade or to be sold as gamey food. Since 2015, Aberdeen had served as the farm's animal ambassador, educating visitors about water monitors and raising awareness of the impact of illegal wildlife trafficking.

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