More than 5,000 cold-stunned green iguanas removed in two days as Florida waives permit rules
Florida officials said a two-day permit exemption led to the collection of 5,195 cold-stunned green iguanas across four drop-off sites after record cold, a short window that enabled large-scale public participation by wildlife staff.
Key takeaways
- Total collected: 5,195 live, cold-stunned iguanas turned in at four FWC offices — Sunrise, Tequesta, Marathon and Fort Myers; see the FWC news release.
- Location breakdown: Sunrise — 3,882; Tequesta — 1,075; Marathon — 215; Fort Myers — 23 (numbers from the FWC news release).
- Legal action: Executive Order 26-03 temporarily suspended permit requirements on Feb. 1–2 to allow collection and drop-off.
What happened — and why it mattered
A rare, record-setting cold snap in late January and early February produced widespread cold-stunning, a temporary paralysis that immobilized many nonnative green iguanas. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued Executive Order 26-03 (signed Jan. 30, 2026) allowing people to collect live, cold-stunned iguanas from private property (with permission) and transport them to designated FWC drop-off points without a permit on Feb. 1–2 only.
Collection sites and totals
The FWC set up four collection locations: Sunrise (near Fort Lauderdale), Tequesta (north of West Palm Beach), Marathon (Florida Keys) and Fort Myers (Gulf Coast). The agency logged a total of 5,195 iguanas during the two-day period, with the Sunrise office receiving the bulk — 3,882 specimens.
How the animals were handled
FWC coordinated transfers of live iguanas to permitted buyers for possible out-of-state sale where allowed; animals that could not be transferred were humanely euthanized by trained staff. The agency emphasized that green iguanas are a prohibited species in Florida and that the temporary exemption was narrowly tailored to the cold-stun event. See the FWC news release for details and reporting on euthanasia practices in Popular Science.
Public role and coordination
FWC officials credited residents, visitors and partner groups for the scale of the response.
“The effort was only possible thanks to the coordinated efforts of many staff members in multiple FWC divisions and offices, our partners, and… the many residents that took the time to collect and turn in cold-stunned iguanas from their properties.” — Roger Young, FWC executive director
Local and national outlets corroborated the numbers and highlighted the unusual public participation; coverage included Fox News and video reports such as the coverage on YouTube.
Why green iguanas are a problem
Non-native green iguanas damage infrastructure and ecosystems: they dig burrows that undermine seawalls and canal banks, consume ornamental and native plants, and can carry parasites and pathogens affecting native wildlife. For these reasons, the FWC classifies them as a prohibited species and regulates possession and movement.
Regulations and legal context
Under normal rules, capturing and transporting live green iguanas requires permits. Executive Order 26-03 temporarily suspended that requirement only for the narrow purpose and dates specified. The two-day window has expired and the FWC has returned to standard rules; it no longer accepts live iguanas at its offices. Property owners may humanely kill iguanas on their land or remove them with landowner permission; the FWC recommends deterrence and professional removal methods posted at MyFWC.com/Nonnatives.
Questions raised and investigative angles
The mass collection prompts several management and oversight questions:
- Long-term strategy: How will the FWC prevent rapid reinvasion or breeding from remaining animals when warmer weather returns?
- Disposal and sale: What safeguards governed transfers and potential out-of-state sales, and what tracking ensured animals did not return to Florida?
- Public safety and training: How were residents instructed to capture and handle cold-stunned animals safely, and were any injuries reported?
- Costs and manpower: How much did the operation cost in staff time and resources?
Sources and media coverage
Core facts and figures come from the FWC news release and the FWC Executive Order 26-03 details. National and local outlets covering the event include Fox News, reporting on euthanasia in Popular Science, and video coverage on YouTube. Local television reports included coverage by Fox 29.
Implications for Sonoma, California
Although Sonoma County does not currently face a green iguana invasion, the Florida event highlights risks invasive species pose to local economies, agriculture and tourism. Key takeaways for Sonoma leaders and residents include:
- Economic vulnerability: Vineyards, orchards and tourism could face severe impacts if a nonnative pest became established.
- Regulatory tools: The use of an executive order in Florida provides a model for temporary regulatory flexibility during emergencies.
- Public engagement: Clear public guidance, safe-handling training and neighborhood detection plans can enable rapid response while protecting people and wildlife.
- Cultural fit: Sonoma’s volunteer networks and landowner associations could be mobilized for invasive species monitoring and response.
Practical guidance for residents
Residents should:
- Learn which species are prohibited or of concern in California and Sonoma County.
- Report suspected invasive animals or plants to local authorities and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- Secure pets and avoid releasing nonnative animals into the wild.
- Consider neighborhood plans for early detection and rapid response.
Lessons for local agencies
The FWC effort demonstrates the value of pre-planned collection sites, clear public messaging, partnerships with permit holders and animal professionals, and legal tools for emergency responses. Sonoma agencies can adapt these elements to create rapid-response plans, identify containment locations, train personnel in humane handling, and develop legal frameworks for emergency actions.
