AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after an iguana was “cruelly” abandoned in a park with a severely broken leg.

Tango the lizard – named because of his colourful markings - was discovered by amember of the public in a park on Cromwell Road, Stanmore, Winchester, before they took him to the RSPCA in a plastic container.

He has since had treatment on his leg after being found on Friday June 10 and is starting a long road to recovery.

RSPCA inspector Jan Edwards said: “I noticed straight away that the poor thing was limping and wasn’t able to use his front right leg at all.

“I rushed him to the vets and he must have been in a lot of pain as the vet put him on pain relief immediately.

“He has since had his leg strapped up and is still quite poorly - it is going to take up to six weeks for him to be back to normal again.

“We have started an investigation and are very keen to find out why he was dumped in a park with a severely injured leg like this.

“This is especially cruel because iguanas cannot regulate their own body temperature and require a carefully-controlled temperature to be able to function normally.

“I just hope Tango makes a recovery that is as sunny as the colour of his skin as no animal deserves to be left out in the cold like this, particularly a beautiful creature as exotic as this.”

Anyone who knows how Tango came to be dumped in the park is asked to call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.

To donate to the charity text HELP to 76688 to give £3.