Non-Native Amazon Lava Lizard Found in Hualien for First Time
An Amazon lava lizard has been seen in Hualien, eastern Taiwan, for the first time. The animal is not a native species and is believed to have found its way to Taiwan through imported marble shipments. Its appearance has raised concerns over a possible invasive population.
A New Invasive Species? Authorities Assess Whether Amazon Lava Lizard is Breeding in Taiwan
REPORTER:
In eastern Taiwan, this unexpected guest is in the entirely wrong postal code. It’s an Amazon Lava Lizard, and it baffled locals who spotted it slinking around a stone cutting factory in Hualien – far from its native habitat in South America.
REPORTER:
Conservationists are now asking how a reptile native to another continent got into Taiwan and whether it is breeding.
You Chung-wei (CHAIR, REPTILE CONSERVATION ASSOC. OF TAIWAN):
These marble factories may have [brought the lizard] in from South America, especially from Brazil. During the export and packaging process the lizard may have accidentally climbed in. From what I see in this case we should continue monitoring. If later observations confirm that there is an established population I suggest pushing out large-scale surveying and capturing operations.
REPORTER:
Taiwan already faces challenges from other invasive reptiles. Brought in as pets in the early 2000s, populations of green iguanas – also native to South America – have exploded in the sunny south of Taiwan, where they devastate crops and compete with native wildlife.
REPORTER:
That's why authorities are taking the Amazon lava lizard seriously.
Chen Shu-wen (DIRECTOR-GENERAL, HUALIEN COUNTY AGRICULTURE DEPT.):
We’ll work with the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency along with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency to determine how to handle this. The Agriculture Department will also issue a notice to the marble processor to urge them to check whether any organisms may have entered along with the shipments.
REPORTER:
The Amazon lava lizard is not a protected species and it is not clear whether they carry infectious diseases.
Still, authorities are urging the public to report sightings immediately – and help them stamp out any potential invasion before it begins.
