The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has initiated a temporary program allowing residents to collect and surrender cold-stunned green iguanas without a permit. The initiative, announced via Executive Order 26-03 on January 30, follows an unprecedented cold snap that caused temperatures to plummet into the low 30s in Southwest Florida, immobilizing the invasive reptiles.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The FWC designated five facilities to accept iguanas on February 1 and 2, with specific hours for drop-offs. Residents were instructed to wear protective gear and use secure, breathable containers for transport. As of 10:45 a.m. on February 1, few iguanas had been surrendered at the Fort Myers office, one of the five locations open for the program.
Deeper Dive & Context
Why It Matters
Green iguanas are classified as a prohibited invasive species in Florida, causing significant environmental and economic damage. The FWC emphasized that the initiative addresses both the immediate challenge of removing invasive wildlife and the broader problem of Florida's 139 established nonnative species, 80% of which entered through the live animal trade.
Collection Guidelines and Safety Protocols
The FWC provided strict safety and containment procedures for residents collecting iguanas. Collectors were advised to wear protective gloves, long sleeves, and pants to avoid scratches. Iguanas must be contained in secure, escape-proof, cloth sacks or bags, which should then be placed into a second locked transport container labeled 'Prohibited Reptiles.'
Public Participation
Marlon Smith, a field technician and fleet manager for Florida Gulf Coast University's Water School, participated in the program by delivering a frozen iguana to the FWC office in Fort Myers. Smith found the iguana at the university's Vester Field Station in Bonita Springs and made the one-hour journey to deliver it, citing his interest in the live iguana collections.
Long-Term Implications
The initiative represents a rare opportunity for public participation in invasive species management during unusual weather conditions. The FWC warned that iguanas can recover from cold-stunning faster than expected, becoming defensive and potentially dangerous once warmed. The commission strongly advised against bringing cold-stunned iguanas indoors or placing them in vehicles except for immediate transport to designated drop-off locations.