Protect lady suffering old reptile (11)

I believe the answer is:

pterodactyl

'old reptile' is the definition.

'protect lady suffering' is the wordplay.
'suffering' indicates an anagram.
'protect'+'lady'='protectlady'
'protectlady' with letters rearranged gives 'PTERODACTYL'.

(Other definitions for pterodactyl that I've seen before include "Extinct flier" , "ancient reptile" , "Late Jurassic flyer" , "Flying creature" , "Extinct flying reptile - protect lady (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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