Volunteers managed to remove a tin can that was stuck on a distressed monitor lizard's head in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

A resident found the lizard in his backyard and called Snake Helpline who sent Arun Baral to the scene.

Baral took the reptile back to his office where Ansuman Mallik helped to cut the metal container off the lizard's head before releasing it.

Subhendu Mallik, General Secretary of the Snake Helpline said: "The lizard was not only starving and dehydrated, it was also vulnerable to predators such as dogs or jackals. I am glad it survived the ordeal."

A resident of Bhubaneswar in eastern India saw a large monitor lizard with its head stuck inside a tin can at his backyard.

The lizard was frantically trying to free itself from the can and was running helter skelter. He called Snake Helpline for help and a volunteer Arun Baral rescued the reptile but was unable to remove the can. The jagged edge of the can was cutting into the lizard's neck.

Arun took the lizard to Snake Helpline’s office, where another volunteer, Ansuman Mallik, cut the tin can with a metal cutter. The wounds turned out to be superficial and the lizard was freed after first aid.

Subhendu Mallik, General Secretary of the Snake Helpline said " The lizard was not only starving and dehydrated, it was also vulnerable to predators such as dogs or jackals. I am glad it survived the ordeal.