A tree rescue in Spring Hill, Kansas, took an unexpected turn when the stranded animal turned out not to be a cat but a 3-foot pet iguana named Tasslehoff.
Here's what to know
According to KSHB 41, Johnson County Consolidated Fire Department No. 1 was sent around 6 p.m. on Oct. 7 to help return the escaped iguana to his owner.
By the time crews located Tasslehoff, potentially named as a play on the actor David Hasselhoff's name and the tassel-like appearance of its dorsal crest, he had been gone for about a week. His size and high position in the tree made the rescue more difficult.
Although firefighters described the iguana as "very sweet," bringing him down from dozens of feet in the air was still a challenge.
KSHB stated that firefighters also said the owner was grateful for the assistance.
How did the rescue happen?
To reach the animal in the tree, firefighters used a ladder truck.
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According to KSHB 41, crews also used a catch pole provided by the Spring Hill Police Department. That equipment helped them secure the iguana once they were close enough.
Where can I learn more?
Firefighters have had to handle some pretty unusual animal rescues in other places as well.
• Firefighters freed a distressed heron tangled high in a tree with fishing line.
• In Davie, Florida, firefighters at a water main break cornered an alligator sought for two years.
• Firefighters rushed to a Miami backyard after a python was found in a tractor-trailer's engine.
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