Wildlife group warns of invasion of the Nile Monitor lizards
The Nile Monitor, a dragon look-a-like lizard that grows to more than seven feet in length, has been spotted in West Palm Beach and there are unconfirmed sightings of the lizards in Central Broward.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission wants residents to report the scary looking reptiles and stay far away from them.
“The concern is that these critters can not only be defensive when cornered, but they also threaten our native species and ecosystem,” said Gabriella Ferraro, an FWC spokesperson.
Nile monitors are native to Africa and generally are let go in the wild by pet owners who grow tired of them. They are gaining in Florida’s subtropical climate and this is the time of year when they are most active.
Wildlife officials fear the carnivorous, invasive species are spreading in the state’s man-made canals.
“Normally, they’re found near water and they’re pretty good swimmers,’’ Ferraro said.
"This is a high-priority species for us," Scott Hardin, coordinator of the FWC’s Exotic Species Coordination Section, said in a statement. "We plan to go after them aggressively to either try to eradicate them or suppress their numbers."
The FWC began observing the animals in and around the C-51 canal along Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach. Biologists counted nine Nile Monitors. One five-footer snuck into a homeowner’s screened in porch through a doggy door. It was euthanized, along with one other lizard that had been captured.
The commission is working closely with the South Florida Water Management District to surveys South Florida canals, Ferraro said.
The FWC discourages attempts to capture the lizards since they can get nasty when captured. They have long tails that they can use like whips, sharp teeth and claws.
In addition, they can swim under water for as long as an hour or scamper at 15 or more miles per hour above ground. The commission also is concerned about the large, predatory Nile monitors destroying bird rookeries or other native animals.
The FWC asks the public to report sightings of Nile monitors to 888-IVE-GOT1 (888-483-4681). The hotline has been set up by the Nature Conservancy and Everglades National Park in cooperation with the FWC. The public may also report sightings and upload photos on the Web at www.IveGot1.org
www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/28/2289914/wildlife-group-warns-of-invasion.html
