Hunt for owner of bearded dragon found on bus

The Lothian buses bus driver had reached the end of the route at Asda Chesser at midday and was checking the vehicle when he found the sports bag.

Inside was a bearded dragon - nicknamed Blakey by animal welfare staff after the character from On the Buses - in a small container. The reptile was taken to Lothian Buses Longstone Depot before being handed over to the SSPCA.

Bearded dragons come from central Australia where they live in large arid deserts. They are cold-blooded and must be kept in large tanks with heat lamps and other equipment.

Lothian buses are trying to track down the owner of the lonely lizard - although since a picture was put on the bus company’s Facebook page many people have offered to adopt the dragon if the original owner isn’t found.

Blakey is now in the care of the charity’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre.

Animal Rescue Officer Fiona Thorburn said, “Blakey was found inside a plastic pet carrier within a large carrier bag.

“At this stage we can’t say for sure whether Blakey has been abandoned. Someone could have been transporting him and forgotten him but this seems unlikely and as far as we are aware no-one has been in touch with Lothian Buses looking for him.

“We understand Lothian Buses will be reviewing CCTV footage. In the meantime we would ask anyone who recognises Blakey and knows who might have owned him to contact us.

“This isn’t the first animal we have rescued having been left on a Lothian Bus.

“Last year we took in a kitten who we named Ticket and in 2013 a guinea pig was left behind.

“Blakey is in good condition and is now receiving the care he needs with us. If he has been abandoned we will soon be looking to find him a loving new home.”