Hunters display the green iguanas they capture in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, on January 21, 2025.
Taiwan is moving forward with plans to cull up to 120,000 green iguanas, a measure aimed at controlling the growing population of these reptiles, which are causing significant damage to the island’s agricultural sector. The green iguanas, originally from Central America and the Caribbean, have become an invasive species in Taiwan. Local authorities are calling for humane methods to reduce their numbers, with many groups urging a balance between animal welfare and protecting agriculture.
There are an estimated 200,000 iguanas living mainly in the southern and central areas of Taiwan, regions that heavily rely on farming. Chiu Kuo-hao, a representative from Taiwan’s Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, said that the iguanas are particularly damaging to crops, and their population has grown out of control. In 2024, specially recruited hunting teams managed to kill about 70,000 iguanas, offering bounties of up to $15 per iguana as an incentive for people to participate in the culling efforts. Local governments have also encouraged the public to help by identifying iguana nests, with the fishing spear being recommended as one of the more humane ways to kill the animals.
Lee Chi-ya, a representative from the agricultural department in Pingtung County, explained that many of the iguanas in Taiwan were once kept as pets. When people realized how large and long-lived the iguanas could become, they released them into the wild. Without natural predators, the iguanas quickly adapted to their new environment and began to reproduce at a rapid rate. Lee emphasized that this population explosion now requires action to restore balance to the ecosystem and protect local agriculture.
Green iguanas, which can grow up to 2 feet long and weigh as much as 11 pounds, are non-aggressive animals despite their sharp tails and jaws. They live for up to 20 years and can lay up to 80 eggs at a time. Their diet consists primarily of plants, including fruits, leaves, and occasional small animals. Though they have become popular as pets, many iguanas die within a year of being kept in captivity, due to the difficulty of maintaining their health in a home environment.
One of the biggest challenges with controlling the iguana population in Taiwan is that the animals have spread into forests and areas near towns that are difficult to access. Hsu Wei-chieh, secretary general of the Reptile Conservation Association of Taiwan, expressed concern for the humane treatment of the iguanas. His group is working to educate farmers on safer ways to handle the iguanas and manage the situation without causing unnecessary harm.
Tsai Po-wen, a vegetable farmer in Pingtung, shared that the training provided by conservationists has made a difference. In the past, farmers would often attempt to chase off or kill the iguanas without success. However, with the new methods, farmers are now learning more effective and safer techniques to deal with the invasive reptiles.
As Taiwan works to tackle the growing iguana problem, it highlights the delicate balance between protecting the natural environment, the welfare of animals, and the livelihoods of local farmers. With both conservationists and agricultural experts working together, there is hope that a solution can be found that benefits both the iguanas and the people of Taiwan.
