Cold-stunned as well as dead green iguanas are collected by trappers from Redline Iguana Removal from a property during a cold spell on February 02, 2026, in Hollywood, Florida. South Florida has seen back-to-back nights of overnight temperatures in …
The winter freeze that embraced the sunshine state for several days caused iguanas to fall from trees as the frigid temperatures stun the invasive species.
What we know:
The green iguanas are listed as an invasive lizard by the FWC due to their adverse impact on Florida’s environment and economy.
Before the freeze forecast, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued an executive order authorizing people to remove live cold-stunned green iguanas without a permit on Sunday, Feb. 1 and Monday, Feb. 2 and turn them in at south Florida collection sites.
What they're saying:
"As an invasive species, green iguanas have negative impacts on Florida’s environment and economy. The removal of over 5,000 of these nonnative lizards in such a short time span was only possible thanks to the coordinated efforts of many staff members in multiple FWC divisions and offices, our partners, and, of course, the many residents that took the time to collect and turn in cold-stunned iguanas from their properties," said FWC Executive Director Roger Young in a new release.
By the numbers:
Blake Wilkins, a Redline Iguana Removal trapper, collects cold-stunned as well as dead green iguanas from a property during a cold spell on February 02, 2026, in Hollywood, Florida. South Florida has seen back-to-back nights of overnight temperatures …
A total of 5,195 green iguanas were collected by the FWC at South Florida drop-off locations.
FWC says 3,882 were collected at the Sunrise drop-off location, 1,075 at the Tequesta location, 215 at the Marathon drop-off site, and at the Fort Myers 23 green iguanas were received. FWC said any iguanas that could not be transferred to permit holders were humanely killed by trained staff.
Dig deeper:
In Florida, invasive green iguanas are not protected except by state anti-cruelty laws, and members of the public can humanely kill green iguanas year-round on their property or with landowner permission.
People needing assistance with safe and humane removal of iguanas can contact a professional wildlife control operator. Landowners wanting to discourage iguanas from frequenting their property can find more information at MyFWC.com/Nonnatives.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). This story was reported from Orlando.