Orphan iguana stolen from Iowa rescue center

[June 30, 2009]  DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- An iguana named Ivana has been having a tough time of it in Des Moines. First she was abandoned in an apartment building, and now she's been stolen from the group that rescued her.

Robin Argo, one of the founders of Iowa Reptile Rescue, said volunteers discovered Friday morning that the group's headquarters in the Southridge Mall had been burglarized. An aquarium containing about $25 in donations was missing, and so was Ivana.

Another iguana named Fred was still there, but Argo said Fred has a tendency to bite.

She said the thieves also grabbed a couple of rats, some Iowa Reptile Rescue T-shirts and novelty items.

Argo said Ivana could have been adopted for about $55.

___

Information from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.