Over 5,000 Invasive Iguanas Collected During Florida Cold Snap

Wildlife officials say many of the cold-stunned reptiles were humanely killed after a short-term emergency order ended

Feb. 6, 2026 at 3:31pm

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Florida wildlife officials collected more than 5,000 invasive green iguanas during a recent cold snap, with many of the cold-stunned reptiles being humanely euthanized after a temporary emergency order allowing residents to turn them in without permits expired.

Why it matters

Green iguanas are an invasive species in Florida that can cause damage to infrastructure, landscaping, and the environment. The large-scale collection effort highlights the state's ongoing battle against non-native species that threaten the local ecosystem.

The details

Under a short-term emergency order, Florida residents were able to turn in live, cold-stunned green iguanas to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) without a permit on February 1-2. The FWC collected a total of 5,195 iguanas statewide, with the majority (3,882) turned in at the Sunrise, Florida location. Iguanas that could not be transferred to permitted wildlife handlers were humanely euthanized by trained staff.

  • The temporary emergency order, Executive Order 26-03, was in effect on February 1-2, 2026.
  • The FWC announced the collection numbers at its commission meeting in Tallahassee on February 4, 2026.

The players

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

The state agency responsible for managing Florida's wildlife and natural resources, including the collection and removal of invasive species like green iguanas.

Roger Young

The FWC Executive Director who stated that green iguanas are an invasive species that cause negative impacts on Florida's environment and economy.

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What they’re saying

“The special regulations under EO 26-03 provided a unique opportunity for members of the public to remove cold-stunned green iguanas from their property during the recent unusual cold weather and bring them to the FWC, no permit required.”

— Roger Young, FWC Executive Director (people.com)

The takeaway

This large-scale collection effort highlights the ongoing challenge Florida faces in managing invasive species like green iguanas, which can cause significant environmental and economic damage. The state's willingness to temporarily relax regulations to allow residents to assist in the removal of these cold-stunned reptiles demonstrates the scale of the problem and the need for continued vigilance in controlling non-native species.