SUN-HERALD (Charlotte, Florida) 12 September 07 Sanibel to trap exotic lizards and iguanas (Jess Fisher)

The City of Sanibel will begin trapping exotic lizards and iguanas to protect the island’s natural wildlife.

On Friday, the city will mail all residents, property and business owners an educational brochure about it’s lizard management program.

A growing population of invasive Nile Monitor lizards and Green Iguanas are target of the program.

“Both lizards have no natural predators on Sanibel. They are considered a severe risk to the island ecosystem,” said Judy Zimomra, city manager. “The lizards were most likely released by irresponsible pet owners.”

There have been two confirmed sightings of Nile Monitor lizards and hundreds of Green Iguana sightings, Zimomra said.

According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, confirmed sightings of Nile Monitor lizards normally represent 20 percent of the total population.

All sightings will be investigated by a professional trapper, Zimomra said.

Trappers will be identified by a safety green colored shirt with the words “Lizard Control” printed on the front and back of the shirt, as well as magnetic decals on their vehicle.

Traps will placed and checked daily. Verified sightings will be mapped to focus eradication efforts and track population trends.

One Nile Monitor lizard was videotaped by a police officer crossing Periwinkle Way. A car ran over the lizard. It survived and ran off into the brush.

To protect the Island’s wildlife populations from increasing numbers of lizards and iguanas, Sanibel put together a group consisting of professionals from the Fish and Wildlife Service at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and city staff to develop an invasive lizard management program for Sanibel. The group presented its recommendations to City Council for approval Aug. 21.
Sanibel to trap exotic lizards

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