From Fox News: More than 5,000 invasive green iguanas in Florida were removed during the state’s two-day exemption that allowed residents and visitors to capture the cold-stunned reptiles without a permit, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
The state wildlife agency announced this week that 5,195 cold-stunned iguanas were collected and brought to four designated FWC offices on Feb. 1 and Feb. 2 during South Florida’s period of record-setting cold temperatures.
“The removal of over 5,000 of these nonnative lizards in such a short time span was only possible thanks to the coordinated efforts of many staff members in multiple FWC divisions and offices, our partners and, of course, the many residents that took the time to collect and turn in cold-stunned iguanas from their properties,” Roger Young, FWC’s executive director said at a Feb. 4 meeting in Tallahassee.
Special regulations under an executive order allowed people to remove live, cold-stunned iguanas from the wild without a permit for two days only, the FWC said in a news release.
The FWC said their staff worked to coordinate the transfer of iguanas collected to permit holders, including for sale outside the state. Any of the reptiles that couldn’t be transferred to permit holders were humanely killed by trained staff.
Green iguanas are an invasive and prohibited species in Florida, due to their “negative impacts on Florida’s environment and economy.” Property owners are allowed to kill them year-round, as they can damage landscaping and property.
During the rare two-day cold spell, many Floridians took advantage of the opportunity to scoop up the paralyzed critters, since the Fish and Wildlife was accepting them to conduct the disposals.
Last Monday, FWC announced in a Facebook post:
It’s the final countdown – less than TWO hours left!🦎
POV: you find a cold-stunned green iguana in your backyard. WYD? If you’re in South or SW FL, an Executive Order allows you to remove these invasive reptiles from your property and bring them to ANY South or SW FL FWC office TODAY until 4pm – this includes FWC offices in Miami Dade and Monroe Counties. No invasive iguanas will be turned away before the deadline.
❗ REMEMBER: The iguanas must be contained in a secure, escape-proof, cloth sack or bag. Only cloth sacks or bags may be used for primary containment to ensure breathability, and they must be securely closed shut.
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