Large Pet Iguana Escapes in Järvenpää, Locals Join Search Efforts
A nearly 1.5-meter-long pet iguana named Rexi (or Rex) has been missing since Wednesday afternoon after escaping from its owner’s yard in Järvenpää’s Isokyä district. The animal, described as gentle and harmless, belongs to resident Aki Peltokoski, who suspects the elderly reptile may have wandered off to spend its final days in solitude.
Peltokoski, who estimates Rexi’s age at 12–14 years—comparable to an 80-year-old human—believes the iguana may have left to die in a natural setting, as the species is known to avoid soiling its nest. "I believe its death is approaching. It wants to keep its nest clean and does not wish to die in its enclosure," he told MTV Uutiset. However, he remains hopeful that Rexi will be found alive and well.
The iguana, which Peltokoski describes as "really gentle and kind," was last seen relaxing on the terrace of his lakeside home before disappearing. "I don’t think anyone took it. We were inside, and it was lying outside alone for a couple of minutes before it suddenly disappeared," he recounted to Yle. Rexi has never escaped before, and Peltokoski had no reason to suspect it would leave its territory unsupervised, as iguanas are typically slow-moving and territorial animals.
Community Rallies to Help
Peltokoski reported Rexi’s disappearance in a local Facebook group, sparking an immediate response from neighbors. "It’s somehow indescribable that unfamiliar families come to our door with their children to offer help," he told Ilta-Sanomat. Search efforts began on Wednesday evening, with children and parents joining the hunt, and continued into Thursday, though the iguana remains missing.
The search has focused on a 25–50 meter radius around Peltokoski’s home, as he believes Rexi is unlikely to have traveled far. To lure the iguana back, raspberries—a favorite treat—have been placed in its usual corner of the yard. "It has its own corner where it has always liked to be. Raspberries have been placed there in case Rexi sees them," Yle reports. Peltokoski hopes hunger will drive the iguana home, noting that it may eat dandelions in the meantime.
Risks Outside the Home
While Rexi is a herbivore and poses no threat to humans, its escape carries risks. Cold weather could be fatal for the cold-blooded reptile, potentially paralyzing it, though Yle notes that warm conditions currently pose no immediate danger. The greatest threat, according to Peltokoski, is the risk of being hit by a car.
Peltokoski, who shares videos of Rexi on TikTok, particularly for children, has expressed deep gratitude for the community’s support. "An incredible sense of community," he told Yle, reflecting on the outpouring of assistance from locals. Despite the ongoing search, Rexi remains missing as of Thursday afternoon.
