Reptile & Amphibian Forums

HERALD-TRIBUNE (Sarasota, Florida) 15 March 06 Wisconsin needs iguanas
There are an estimated 10,000 iguanas on Gasparilla Island, and it seems about as many opinions as to how to deal with the invasive reptiles.
Lee County is looking into an eradication effort on the island, where the iguana issue always invites a colorful variety of responses.
This spectrum of thought -- ranging from the practical to the comical -- was revealed in about 50 e-mails that have been sent this year to County Commissioner Bob Janes, whose district includes Boca Grande.
Many of the messages outline opposition to any removal effort that would be funded only by Boca Grande residents.
One anti-tax islander wrote, "Let sleeping iguanas lay." Another said he would rather deal with the problem himself rather than have the county get involved. "Give me infestation, not taxation," he wrote.
One correspondent said Boca Grande should replace its famed but fading tarpon tournament with a reptile roundup. One islander suggested the reptiles should be exported to Mexico, where iguanas are considered a delicacy.
Other suggestions were even more outlandish. One e-mail, for example, said the county should have convicts package the reptiles, then "send them to Wisconsin. Word is Wisconsin is suffering from a severe iguana shortage."
Wisconsin needs iguanas

And what gave them the idea that Wisconsin has an iguana shortage?

Virignia and North Carolina sure do not have an iguana shortage. It is the idoit vendors from Florida with baby iguanas as carnival midway prizes that are causing this problem. And then they wonder why people drive their iguana to Florida to release it.