Animals

Kaohsiung Offers Rewards for Capture of Invasive Green Iguanas

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Updated

By TaiwanPlus

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Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan is offering vouchers to certified hunters for the capture of adult green iguanas. The new incentive comes as the city steps up efforts to control the population of the invasive species. So far this year, Kaohsiung has removed more than 27,000 green iguanas from the wild.

Curbing Invasive Iguanas

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Kaohsiung Offers Rewards for Captured Lizards

REPORTER:  
Kaohsiung is ramping up efforts to control its invasive green iguana population.

The city’s agriculture bureau says certified hunters who turn in adult iguanas will receive a voucher worth nearly 10 US dollars per animal. The program targets fully grown adults to drive down reproduction as iguanas enter their breeding season in cooler months. Kaohsiung has removed more than 27,000 green iguanas from the wild this year so far.

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Taiwan Invasive Species

Kaohsiung Steps Up Green Iguana Removal Efforts

REPORTER:  
The southern port city of Kaohsiung is ramping up efforts to control its invasive green iguana population starting this September.

According to the city’s Agriculture Bureau, certified hunters who turn in adult green iguanas will receive a gift voucher worth nearly US$10 for each animal. The control program will shift its focus from simply removing the lizards to reducing their reproduction by targeting breeding adults. Green iguanas typically enter their breeding season between October and February. More than 600 people are currently certified to capture the animals.

As of August 26th, Kaohsiung had removed more than 27,600 green iguanas from the wild this year.