Green iguanas continue to damage crops and cause public concern in Southern #Taiwan. The Agriculture Ministry may raise removal fees to NT$800 (US$24.50) per catch to incentivize trained hunters.
Green iguanas, introduced to Taiwan over two decades ago as exotic pets, have become an environmental challenge due to widespread abandonment. Their large size and intimidating appearance led many owners to release them into the wild, where they thrived in Taiwan’s predator-free, tropical climate. This year, their population is estimated to have reached 200,000.
The overpopulation of green iguanas in southern Taiwan has caused significant damage to crops and heightened public concern. In response, the Agricultural Ministry is considering increasing the bounty for capturing green iguanas to NT$800 (US$24.50) per iguana. Professional hunting parties, who can catch up to 200 iguanas daily, could see their earnings rise to nearly NT$160,000 (US$5,000) a day with the proposed fee hike. The government hopes the increase will attract more individuals to join removal efforts. However, hunters must first complete mandatory training.
The required training educates participants on iguana behavior and proper capture methods. In Pingtung, residents must attend a two-hour course covering species characteristics, tool selection, and hunting techniques. Authorities caution that hunting iguanas without proper training and certification could result in fines, reinforcing the importance of regulated removal efforts.