FWC Removes 5,195 Cold-Stunned Green Iguanas in South Florida

How the two-day operation worked

The temporary rule change under Executive Order 26-03 allowed residents and visitors a narrow window to collect cold-stunned iguanas and deliver them to one of four designated FWC handling points. Staff at Sunrise, Tequesta, Marathon and Fort Myers processed animals rapidly, coordinating across divisions, partners and volunteers.

Handling and transfers: FWC reported collected animals were either transferred to permitted holders who could transport them out of state for sale where allowed, or — if transfer was not feasible — were humanely euthanized by trained staff to prevent reintroduction and to manage animal welfare.

“Coordinated work by FWC staff across divisions, partners, and the many residents that took the time to collect and turn in cold-stunned iguanas,” — FWC Executive Director Roger Young, Feb. 4 commission meeting.

Site-by-site collection totals

• Sunrise (near Fort Lauderdale): 3,882 iguanas.
• Tequesta (north of West Palm Beach): 1,075 iguanas.
• Marathon (Florida Keys): 215 iguanas.
• Fort Myers (Gulf Coast): 23 iguanas.

Why cold-stunned iguanas matter

Green iguanas are a prohibited, nonnative species in Florida because they harm native wildlife, ecosystems and property. Cold-stunning is a physiological reaction to unusually low temperatures; affected iguanas can lose muscle control and fall from elevated perches in a torpor state and may recover as temperatures rise.

Environmental and infrastructure impacts: When established, iguanas dig burrows that can undermine seawalls and docks, leave droppings on boats and porches, damage vegetation, and clog culverts and drainage systems — factors that facilitate spread in canalized and cleared-bank areas of South Florida.

FWC context and the wider invasive species picture

Florida houses more than 600 nonnative species, roughly 80% introduced via the live animal trade; 139 of those are established and reproducing in the wild. That rising number of established invaders creates ecological, economic and public-health risks and makes invasive-species management an ongoing state priority.

Public participation and media coverage

Video and local reporting documented residents canvassing neighborhoods and collecting cold-stunned reptiles during the freeze, highlighting rapid civic mobilization and the scale of the event. FWC emphasized handler safety and routing animals only to designated drop-off points.

Handling, legal issues and safety guidance

The executive order was narrowly tailored: it allowed permit-free removal of live, cold-stunned iguanas for two days only. That window has passed; FWC is no longer accepting live iguanas. The agency reminded residents that iguanas are not protected beyond anti-cruelty laws and may be humanely killed on private property or with landowner permission year-round.

Safety note: Residents were advised not to bring cold-stunned iguanas into homes — animals can recover suddenly and may lash out with tails, teeth and claws. For assistance, professionals can be contacted via local wildlife control operators.

Disposition of collected animals

FWC worked with permitted holders to transfer iguanas for lawful out-of-state sale when possible. When transfer was not feasible, trained staff humanely euthanized animals. The agency framed these steps as necessary to avoid reintroducing animals and to manage welfare concerns following severe cold.

Questions raised by the roundup

• How to balance rapid emergency responses to weather-driven wildlife events with long-term invasive-species control?
• What role should property owners and volunteers play, and how to ensure safety and humane handling?
• How to fund and sustain permits, processing, transfers and euthanasia capacity if extreme events recur?
• What preventive measures (trade rules, public education, targeted removal) can reduce future spread?

Implications for the United States

Economic: Burrowing damage to seawalls and infrastructure imposes direct costs on property owners and municipalities; similar invasions elsewhere could strain local budgets.

Political and social: The operation highlights state-level, rapid-response approaches that resonate with constituents favoring local control and property protections and demonstrates strong civic participation, while underscoring the need for clear safety guidance for volunteers.

Practical applications and recommendations for policymakers

Homeowners should secure bulkheads, clear potential refuges, and learn humane deterrence tactics from state guidance. Agencies should pre-plan legal tools and logistics for rapid animal processing, coordinate across state lines for transfers, and consider funding models for surge capacity in emergencies.

Sources and further reading

• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission news release
• Fox News coverage
• Popular Science on cold-stunned iguanas and euthanasia
• Local footage of residents collecting cold-stunned iguanas
• FWC nonnative species guidance

Reporting by Times Media Service; information drawn from FWC releases and contemporary coverage.