Over 5,000 iguanas captured in Florida during 2-day cold weather roundup: FWC
More than 5,000 iguanas were captured and turned in during Florida’s two-day roundup amid cold temperatures, state wildlife officials said.
The 5,195 invasive green iguanas were removed from the ecosystem during the temporary capture period that ran from Feb. 1-2, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said Wednesday.
IGUANA ROUNDUP
The FWC had allowed people to remove the cold-stunned iguanas and bring them to five locations in the state.
The Sunrise location collected the most, with 3,882 of the invasive reptiles dropped off. The FWC’s Tequesta location received 1,075 green iguanas, the Marathon drop-off site received 215 green iguanas, and the Fort Myers location received 23 green iguanas.
As the cold front swept through South Florida, bringing historically low temperatures, the invasive reptiles were left cold-stunned and immobile.
Green iguanas are an invasive species in Florida and pose significant environmental and economic risks to the state, officials say.
Any iguanas turned in to FWC that could not be transferred to permit holders were humanely killed by trained staff.
“As an invasive species, green iguanas have negative impacts on Florida’s environment and economy. 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,” FWC executive director Roger Young said in a statement.
