This morning the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution requesting that the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) add green iguanas to the list of “reptiles of concern.” Reptiles on this list- such as pythons or anacondas- require a $100 permit to purchase. The City of Pompano Beach passed a similar resolution earlier this year.
In media stories about the resolution, the FWC expressed skepticism that anything can be done to decrease the numbers of iguanas already established in the wild. Although we agree that iguanas are likely here to stay, we also feel that problems can always get worse.
Making it more complicated and expensive to obtain iguanas would stop impulse purchases and discourage their sale at pet stores. The new designation would hopefully cut down on the number of former “pets” who are dumped into the wild.
You Can Help
- Have iguanas been a subject of nuisance complaints in your community? Please ask your city or county commission to pass a resolution urging the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission to designate green iguanas as “reptiles of concern.” Contact ARFF; we can help.
- Palm Beach County commissioner Mary McCarty requested that the commission consider the resolution. Please thank her for her leadership on this issue. E-mail: MMCCarty@pbcgov.org