PINGTUNG, Taiwan — The Taiwanese government is preparing to cull as many as 120,000 green iguanas in response to the significant damage these reptiles are causing in the agricultural sector. Advocates for animal welfare are emphasizing the need for humane methods during this culling process.
According to officials from the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, there are an estimated 200,000 iguanas inhabiting the southern and central regions of the island, areas where farming plays a crucial economic role.
Last year, specially organized hunting teams managed to eliminate around 70,000 iguanas, offering bounties as high as $15 for each captured reptile. Local authorities are encouraging residents to assist in locating iguana nests and have suggested using fishing spears as a more humane method for euthanizing the animals.
“A significant number of people have purchased iguanas as pets without fully understanding their eventual size and lifespan, which led to their release into the wild,” explained Lee Chi-ya, an official with the agricultural department in Pingtung County. “This has allowed the iguanas to thrive and reproduce swiftly in the Taiwanese environment, which is why we feel it’s necessary to manage their population effectively and restore ecological balance.”
In Taiwan, green iguanas face no natural predators, leading them to infiltrate hard-to-reach locations, primarily forests and urban fringes. Adult males can reach lengths of up to 2 feet (approximately 6.6 feet), weigh around 5 kilograms (11 pounds), and have lifespans of up to 20 years. Female iguanas are capable of producing up to 80 eggs at once.
While primarily found in Central America and the Caribbean, these reptiles are not known for being aggressive, despite their sharp features like tails, jaws, and teeth. Their diet mainly consists of fruits, leaves, and plants, with occasional consumption of small animals. Even though they are popular as pets, many iguanas struggle to thrive in captivity, leading to a high mortality rate within their first year.
Hsu Wei-chieh, the secretary general of the Reptile Conservation Association of Taiwan, highlighted the organization’s commitment to educating farmers on safe practices to protect their property while treating iguanas humanely. “We are dedicated to ensuring that this culling project is executed effectively and respectfully,” he stated.
Pingtung vegetable farmer Tsai Po-wen reported positive outcomes from the training provided. “In the past, we would attempt to eradicate them aggressively, but those efforts proved ineffective. Now we are learning more efficient and safer techniques,” remarked Tsai.
