If you're taking a stroll around Webster, Mass, BOLO

As anyone who grew up in Worcester County knows, the honors for the longest name for any geographic whatever - mountain, canyon, river, lake - in the United States goes to Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg, which is mostly known as Webster Lake. 

The lake's name comes from the Algonquian language of the Nipmuc and is often said to mean, "Fishing Place at the Boundaries—Neutral Meeting Grounds". A more fitting translation is "lake divided by islands", according to anthropologist Ives Goddard. The most memorable translation, however, is supposedly: "You fish on your side; we fish on our side; nobody fish in the middle." (Source: Wikipedia) 

Other than the lake, there's not a lot to distinguish Webster, Massachusetts from dozens of other former milltowns in New England. But they've been in the news of late, thanks to a water monitor lizard named Goose, who went on the lam a couple of weeks ago. Goose is no tiny little lizard that you might keep in a terrarium in the kids' bedroom. No, Goose is five feet long, and could grow to eight. (I think I read that they're second only, lizard-size-wise, to Komodo dragons.)

On one of the news stations, I saw video of Goose making his escape, pushing out a second floor window screen of its home on Blueberry Lane, landing on the roof, and leaping to the ground. That was some leaping lizard is all I can say.

The cops were called in, but they were initially unsure just what they were looking for.

"I didn't even know what a water monitor was," [Webster Police Chief Michael] Shaw said. "When they told me that there was one lost up in Blueberry Hill, I thought it was person that was gotten lost checking water meters." (Source: Boston Globe)

No reason why Webster PD would be a familiar with water monitors. They're not exactly native to Massachusetts - they hail from Southeast Asia. But occasionally they're kept as pets. And occasionally they do escape or are "freed." (Probably when they grow in size to five feet or so.) Over the years, they've been spotted in the wild Arizona, California, Texas, and Florida. (You can't legally own one in Massachusetts, but since when does that stop anyone?)

Webster PD searched the area, and even brought the drones in. No dice. After a couple of days, the search was called off. Then, a week after Goose made his great escape, it was seen just over the Connecticut border. 

Although water monitors aren't supposed to be all that aggressive, and "are not known to attack humans or dogs/cats," they are venemous. And they do go after fish and critters in the wild. (A water monitor's gotta eat, you know.) If cornered, they might attack. So animal control is warning folks to not try to confront or capture Goose if they come across it.  

The federal Nonindigenous Aquatic Species index has this to say:

 "The potential impact of these huge, aggressive predators on indigenous wildlife almost certainly would be negative should they establish themselves," the index says, noting that "their size and aggressive behavior" could make them dangerous. But water monitors haven't established themselves anywhere in the U.S.

Since they haven't "established themselves anywhere in the U.S." it's unlikely that Goose will find a cadre of fellow water monitors with a colony it could join up with. Phew. Water monitor colonies are just what we don't need.

Meanwhile, the good citizens of Webster have been enjoying the notoriety:

One Webster resident, Pete Tarbox, has even taken to wearing, and kayaking in, a lizard onesie.

“I bought the manly lizard suit because of the buzz around town,” Tarbox told Boston.com. “I thought I’d add to the vibe.”

“I hope they find him safe and sound,” said Tarbox, who has been checking his property for signs of the lizard. (Source: boston.com)

I'm sure that the Websterites were all bummed to learn that Goose had migrated to Connecticut. Wherever Goose was, they had something to talk about other than their lake's long name. (And someone - a grownup someone - actually owns a lizard onesie? Not much doing in Webster, I guess.)

Goose, of course, might just have meandered back to Webster. So even with its wherabouts unknown, Websterites were no doubt strolling around Webster, Mass, or cooling off in Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg, remained BOLO. If you were swimming in the lake, imagine coming across a five-foot lizard? (On second thought, don't imagine it.)

As it turns out, Goose - perhaps missing the comforts of home, like 3 squares he didn't have to hunt and gather on his own - was found in early August back in Webster. Goose was not returned to his "owner," as ownersip of water monitors is illegal.

Goose is now living his best life in an animal refuge.

And the folks in Webster have a tale to tell that doesn't involve the tongue-twisting name of their lake.

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Image Source: Wikipedia