Florida Allows Temporary Iguana Rescue Without Permits

State opens limited window to collect cold-stunned green iguanas amid invasive species concerns.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 10:55pm

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Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has issued a temporary executive order allowing residents to remove live, cold-stunned green iguanas from the wild without a permit. The iguanas are considered an invasive species in the state and the order aims to help remove them from Florida's natural spaces during the current cold snap.

Why it matters

Green iguanas are not native to Florida and have become an invasive species, causing damage to the state's environment and economy. The temporary permit waiver is an effort by wildlife officials to enlist the public's help in removing the cold-stunned iguanas from the wild during this cold weather event.

The details

Under the executive order, Florida residents can collect live, cold-stunned green iguanas and bring them to one of five designated drop-off locations on Sunday, February 1 from 9am to 12pm, and Monday, February 2 from 8am to 4pm. The collection sites are the FWC South Florida Regional Lab in Marathon, the FWC Office in Sunrise, the FWC Tequesta Field Lab in Tequesta, as well as locations in Fort Myers and Lakeland.

  • The executive order was issued on Friday, January 31, 2026.
  • The iguana collection events are scheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2026 from 9am to 12pm, and Monday, February 2, 2026 from 8am to 4pm.

The players

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

The state agency responsible for managing Florida's wildlife and natural resources, including efforts to control invasive species like the green iguana.

Green Iguanas

An invasive lizard species that is not native to Florida but has established populations in the state, causing damage to the local environment.

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What’s next

After the collection events, the FWC will evaluate the number of iguanas removed and determine if further action is needed to address the invasive species issue.

The takeaway

This temporary permit waiver demonstrates Florida's efforts to proactively manage the growing green iguana population, which threatens the state's native ecosystems. By enlisting public participation, the FWC hopes to make progress in removing these cold-stunned iguanas from the wild during this cold weather event.