Monitor lizards fight over scraps of food in Thai park during coronavirus lockdown

Monitor lizards fight over scraps of food in Thai park during coronavirus lockdown

Two monitor lizards were seen wrestling over scraps of food after snacks left behind from tourists have disappeared because of the coronavirus lockdown.

The reptiles were grappling outside a wildlife ranger's office in the normally busy park in Krabi, southern Thailand on April 22.

Footage shows the pair of 3ft long beasts standing on their back legs and fighting over pieces of food.

The officer from the Than Bok Khorani foundation said the lizards were locked in a fight for dominance for the rights to food, which has decreased as COVID-19 has halted tourism.

He said: "We believed there were around 10 monitor lizards on the island and they were usually fed by the tourists or they picked up leftovers.

"But since the island has closed due to the pandemic I think they had less food so they now fight over the small pieces.'' The reptiles fought for 15 minutes before one of them gave up and scurried away.

Popular tourist destinations such as Krabi and Phuket, both in the south of Thailand, have seen visitor numbers plunged after incoming passenger flights and and unrestricted travel between regions were banned.