The Florida Fish and Wildlife department says the state is heading for trouble unless it gets control over the increasing population of Green Iguanas.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which protects crocodiles and places strict guidelines on hunting deer, has put the scaly, yardlong-or-more creature also known as the green iguana on its hit list.
The commission issued a directive describing the green iguana as an invasive species, citing damage they wreak on seawalls, sidewalks and plants. The iguanas are protected only by anti-cruelty law, the commission adds.
Homeowners need not worry about permission to kill them.
“The (commission) encourages homeowners to kill green iguanas on their own property whenever possible,” the directive says. “Iguanas can also be killed year-round and without a permit on 22 public lands in south Florida.”
The reptiles were once found just around Miami, but recent population counts show them moving upstate including in Tampa Bay and even further north.
33707news.com 