A six-foot iguana named Titan escaped its shipping container and ran through a FedEx store in Memphis, Tennessee, this week [1].
The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of live animal transport and the potential safety risks when shipping large reptiles through commercial couriers.
The animal was being shipped as a live animal to its owner, Roderick Duncan [1]. When the package was opened at the store, the iguana leapt out of the box and began sprinting through the aisles [1], [5]. The sudden movement startled the store employees and customers present at the time [2], [3].
Despite the size of the reptile and the chaos of the escape, no injuries were reported [1]. Store staff worked to manage the situation until the animal could be secured. The event was captured on video, showing the large lizard navigating the retail environment [1].
Duncan said that the employees were "great sports" about the whole thing and that everyone in the store ended up laughing [1]. He also said that no one was hurt during the encounter [1].
The store is described as a retail location in Memphis [2], [4], though some reports refer to the venue as a facility [3]. Regardless of the specific designation, the escape occurred during the process of receiving the shipment [1], [5].
FedEx employees assisted in the aftermath of the escape. The incident concluded without one person requiring medical attention [1].
“A six-foot iguana named Titan escaped its shipping container”
This incident underscores the logistical challenges and liabilities associated with the commercial shipment of exotic animals. While this event ended without injury, the escape of a large reptile in a public retail space demonstrates the risks inherent in using standard shipping methods for live wildlife, which may lack the specialized containment required for high-stress animal transport.
