A close-up of Leela Chameleon's eye
Image: Alan Henderson
Source: Museum Victoria
Leela the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) came the Museum in 2006, after being discovered on the doorstep of a Melbourne pet shop. It is believed she and two other chameleons had been kept illegally as pets.
Once Museum Live Exhibits staff were certain Leela was a picture of perfect health, she was placed on display in the Melbourne Museum Discovery Centre. Leela quickly became one of the museum's most popular exhibits.
Leela was the smallest of the three chameleons brought in and, much to everyone's surprise, Leela laid a clutch of eggs shortly after her arrival at the museum. However her eggs were not viable.
In 2007 she was again believed to be gravid (carrying eggs). However, months passed and Leela showed no sign of laying her eggs. She was taken to the vet for a check up. Her initial check-up showed the egg development to be normal; however reinspection determined her eggs where infertile.
After much debate it was decided for Leela's welfare that her eggs should be removed. Leela's operation resulted in the removal of over 40 eggs and one of her ovaries.
Staff and visitors alike waited with bated breath for news of her recovery. Much to everyone's relief, the operation was a success. Leela quickly recovered her former health and, in time, returned to her display case in the Discovery Centre.
As time passed, Leela's traumatic past and her age started to catch up with her. Leela started to slow down and lose coordination. In 2009, Leela was moved into retirement to a behind-the-scenes enclosure where she could be better cared for. She was also treated daily with a pain reliever to make her more comfortable.
Early in 2011, it was noted that Leela's condition was deteriorating. After several blood tests pathology revealed she was suffering from a major infection. Live Exhibits staff were then faced with the difficult decision of what action to take; exploratory surgery from which she potentially wouldn't recover, or euthanasia to end to unnecessary suffering. Ultimately it came down to a decision based on animal welfare.
On the 12 July 2011 Leela was euthanised. An autopsy was conducted on her body, which revealed two massive tumours on her remaining ovary. Leela's body will now go into the Museum collections.
Over the past seven years visitors and Museum staff have watched this vibrantly-coloured reptile grow from a juvenile into a beautiful adult. She has left her mark on everyone who has met her and is dearly missed by staff and our visitors.