BOCA BEACON (Boca Grande, Florida) 03 November 06 Commentary: Iguanas don't have to be killed (Susanne Kynast)
Gasparilla island , like many places in Florida, has an invasive species problem. More than 10,000 black spiny-tailed iguanas tunnel into houses, eat gardens, and threaten native species.
The only possible solution: population control. The island community has taken a step towards hiring a company which will trap most of the iguanas.
The problem lies in the disposal of the animals.
The commission wants to require the trappers to kill the animals as they are caught. However, if national standards for humane euthanasia are applied, this involves the use of injectable veterinary anesthetics at a prohibitively high cost.
The more common methods used by many nuisance trappers are considered inhumane for reptiles by national and international standards due to the pain and suffering they cause.
The trappers applying for the contract were overwhelmingly in favor of a different solution which the commission rejected off hand: a large reptile dealer had offered to pick up every iguana and place it into the reptile export market.
Tens of thousands of black spiny-tailed iguanas are exported from Central America each year.
They are taken from countries where their numbers are declining and where they are an important food for the poor.
Put Gasparilla's 10,000 iguanas into that market, and 10,000 more will remain in the wild of Central America where they belong. The export market (the dealer was willing to guarantee 100 percent export out of the US) places those animals in the hands of zoos, breeding projects (some of them back in their home range), and serious collectors.
By the time they arrive overseas they are far too expensive to become throw-away pets, and there is no risk of them surviving in the wild. Shipment of the iguanas would have been completely escape-proof (those are dealers who routinely ship poisonous snakes).
The Florida economy would have benefited from the sale and transport. The island would have benefited since killing and disposal adds costs per iguana. And the trappers would have benefited since most prefer themselves to let animals live.
In the end the biggest loser will be the island community itself.
There are many citizens who appreciate the iguanas as animals in their own right.
They will be saddened by and critical of the unnecessary slaughter. Children will be affected as they witness loss and death.
A few animal lovers will secretly "help" iguanas off the island to "save" them, starting new invasive populations.
Animal rights activists will likely become disruptive to the community as they already have to the trappers.
Gasparilla Island's image will suffer even further as more national media pick up the story, and that will certainly affect tourism.
Finally killing the iguanas is a disaster for global conservation efforts. International non-profits are promoting good stewardship of reptiles, since their numbers are globally declining to the point where many species are in danger of extinction.
If we endorse the killing of those and similar species in Florida, how can we raise awareness for their plight in their native countries?
Susanne Kynast is an independent reptile researcher and conservation advocate. She volunteers to help people find solutions that make sense for animals, communities, and the economy.
http://www.bocabeacon.com/story.htbml?number=1327
BOCA BEACON (Boca Grande, Florida) 03 November 06 Advocates argue against killing island's iguanas
Mark Flowers, owner of a reptile export business, and reptile export specialist George Ward showed up for Tuesday night's "Iguana Tax" advisory meeting, and said they have an alternative, no-kill answer to the county's proposed "large-scale eradication effort" of spiny-black iguanas.
"There is absolutely a solution … we have all the research, it's all on paper," said Ward, standing outside before the meeting.
"The best solution for the state, as far as monetary value, would be exportation," he said.
Flowers and George operate Magnum Reptiles, a Florida business that deals in export, import, removal, and rescue of unwanted animals. Ward said they have 14 years experience in handling, caring for, and shipping reptiles, and that he and Flowers have a specific plan mapped out "on paper, with the data to back it up."
"There is a way we can humanely remove them with a no-kill policy," said Ward. "Being the primary experts in the state, with 14 years experience, we are the most qualified for field removals," he said.
Ward did not discuss all the details of his plan, but said the method would involve his company, as well as local trappers, capturing the iguanas and shipping them to overseas vendors.
"We even have a 90-acre plot of land to hold the iguanas (until they are ready for export)," said owner Flowers, and claimed to have three vendors in Europe and Asia already lined up to purchase a large-scale export of iguanas.
"We sell thousands … thousands of iguanas, and I work strictly with reptiles," said Ward, who routinely ships reptiles to buyers worldwide.
"I don't think it's appropriate (to kill them all) … not when we can create jobs, provide valuable research, and the opportunity for re-introduction into native countries," he said, adding, "Everyone could gain from this – the town, the state, and most of all the iguanas."
Lee County officials were present to field questions from trappers who came from as far as Fort Lauderdale, including Libby Walker and Gail Orio from the Department of Public Resources, and Scott Trebatoski, director of Lee County's Animal Services. The "pre-bid" meeting was held to allow trappers interested in submitting a bid to voice concerns and ask questions.
Ward and Flowers both spoke up during the meeting, but their solution wasn't addressed by the county and the board.
"Would the county be open to an alternative plan, a no-kill option, if all animals were exported from the United States?" asked Ward during the meeting.
After county officials dodged the question, Ward added, "What are you going to do with the publicity that's going to come when people find out there was an alternative solution?"
Both Ward's request to present an alternate plan, and his warning of a potential national media frenzy were ignored by county officials, who re-directed the focus back to other trapper questions.
Later in the discussion, Ward again asked the county to consider the consequences of ignoring what could be a viable no-kill plan, saying that highly negative media coverage could occur, "especially when there are alternative means of removing them by exporting them out of the country," he said.
"They're just too late in the game," said one man after the meeting. "Even if they have a plan, it's too late. The county has already decided," he said.
George Cera, owner of Sarasota-based The Trapper Wildlife Services, was skeptical of the alternative plan. Cera did research, such as calling the Mexican consulate, and found too many obstacles to the plan Flowers and Ward are proposing, such as disease, potential to spread iguana problems elsewhere, and a lack of desire from native countries to reintroduce iguanas.
Trappers who came to the meeting had many questions for the panel, among them what constitutes humane treatment.
One trapper asked, "This might be a real simple question, but what exactly is going to be a way of humanely putting them down?"
Trebatoski replied that there are state-sanctioned methods that are deemed humane for animal extermination, and warned that any trapper killing iguanas inhumanely would face animal cruelty charges.
"You have a range (of euthanasia methods)," said Trebatoski. "The state recognizes certain methods that are legal, ethical, and responsible," he said.
The recent airing of an NBC Today Show segment that showed a trapper freezing an iguana (considered a humane way of killing the reptiles), stirred a national controversy and debate over what constitutes humane treatment in the trapping and killing of iguanas.
Trappers at the meeting discussed gassing, freezing, and shooting iguanas as options for euthanasia, but each presents a problem.
Freezing iguanas must be done somewhere in Boca Grande, since the county has mandated that "no live iguanas will be permitted to leave the island."
Several trappers asked if the county could provide a site in Boca Grande with a large freezer, but Walker denied the request.
"At this point we cannot commit to that," she said.
One trapper from Fort Myers said her company uses shooting as their primary method of euthanasia.
"So if we're on a public road, you want us to just shoot them there, and traumatize people … like little kids riding on a school bus who might be passing by?" she asked.
Walker responded, "The county will not provide an area (for removal and euthanasia), but no, I would not suggest that would be the best way to do it."
Another issue raised in the meeting was the fact that both Charlotte County land and state-owned sites will not be part of this eradication effort by Lee County.
"Hasn't anyone contacted the state?" asked one resident. "Otherwise my great, great, great grandchildren will still be dealing with the iguanas," he said.
Director of purchasing Janet Sheehan responded, "Right now, no, we're not opening up that dialogue."
Another person asked if the trappers would be capturing iguanas on Charlotte County areas of the island, and added, "Because if not, how do you expect to rid the island of iguanas?"
Walker responded that the county is involved to reduce the population on Lee County lands only, and that she doesn't expect to rid the entire island of iguanas.
"This is a Lee County project, Lee County is paying for it, and it is strictly a Lee County effort," she said.
Sheehan added, "If it works well, perhaps Charlotte County will want to work with the same trapper." Many at the meeting expressed frustration that the effort would include only Lee County land, possibly giving the iguanas an opportunity to simply move to protected areas to reproduce.
Charlotte County has already established funds to implement an iguana eradication effort.
In July, commissioners increased annual fees for Charlotte County Boca Grande landowners from $30 to $45 a year. The tax hike will provide $30,000 per year for an iguana control program, but no plans have been laid yet for when that program will be.
http://www.bocabeacon.com/story.htbml?number=1323
