ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced Thursday that 5,195 invasive green iguanas were removed from the state\u2019s ecosystems during a recent two-day cold snap. <\/p>\n
The effort involved coordination between state staff, partners and the public under a temporary emergency order.<\/p>\n
Executive Order 26-03 allowed residents to collect live, cold-stunned iguanas from their property without a permit on Feb. 1-2. <\/p>\n
FWC officials stated that green iguanas are a prohibited species in Florida because they negatively impact the environment and the local economy. <\/p>\n
Management of these invasive animals is a high priority for the commission.<\/p>\n
Most of the invasive reptiles were brought to the FWC drop-off location in Sunrise, which processed 3,882 iguanas. <\/p>\n
The Tequesta site received 1,075 lizards, while staff in Marathon collected 215 and the Fort Myers location received 23.<\/p>\n
FWC staff worked with authorized permit holders to transfer the live iguanas into their care, including for potential sale outside the state. <\/p>\n
Any iguanas that could not be transferred were humanely killed by trained personnel. <\/p>\n
Because they are classified as a prohibited species, green iguanas cannot be possessed in Florida without a permit.<\/p>\n
FWC is no longer accepting live green iguanas from the public.<\/p>\n
Landowners seeking information on how to discourage iguanas from their property can visit the agency\u2019s website at MyFWC.com\/Nonnatives.<\/p>\n
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