Reported stolen in El Segundo: Bearded dragon; 7-8 inches long, orange and tan with spikes. Answers to “Caesar.” Reward.
Kathy Burkholder of Redondo Beach said she’s heartbroken over the apparent theft of Caesar, one of more than a dozen exotic animals her Kathy’s Critters organization had on display Saturday at a community event in El Segundo.
Burkholder regularly shares her animals with schools and other groups as part of an educational outreach teaching children and adults alike about what she says are the world’s more “misunderstood” creatures, mostly insects and reptiles.
So when she was offered a booth at West Basin Municipal Water District’s Water Harvest Festival, she eagerly set up her menagerie in open-topped containers for spectators to admire.
“I had four tables but I was by myself so I was trying to watch all the tables at once,” she said. “Apparently someone reached in and took him. … I turned around and he was gone so I shut down the booth and immediately went out searching.”
She filed a police report – the lizard, native to Australia, is valued at $300 to $500 – and has spent the last several days calling area pet shops hoping someone may have unwittingly purchased the unusual reptile from the thief.
Caesar hasn’t turned up so far and she’s afraid he’ll suffer and die in the hands of someone who doesn’t know how to care for the animal.
She suspects the lizard-nappers were a group of young
teens she’d scolded earlier at the festival
for picking up another of her lizards by the tail.
“Kids could have taken him for the money or to trade for drugs,” she said. “But I know he’s not being cared for, he needs very specialized care.”
Bearded lizards need a UV light and a special diet of insects and fruits and vegetables, she said.
“I only had him a few months, he was donated to me,” Burkholder said. “He was a joy, he was so sweet and good tempered. He brought joy and smiles to hundreds of kids so I’m really heartbroken, especially knowing that he’s probably suffering.
“I just want the word out, (to see) if somebody knows about it or if somebody who went to the event knows anything,” she said. “I’ve been doing this for over 20 years and this is the first time something’s been stolen.”