Poor little Lizards

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I get the concern over the effect on the native species, and that sucks. But how do you think these things got to where they are. Humans decided that they were cool pets and then decided they were too much trouble or were just irresponsible to let them get out. It’s not the lizard’s fault that they are there.
 
viciousconvict said:
hey, I have a lot of moral concerns too, but this is not a native species. this is an invasive animal that is eradicating endangered native species. agreed, the problem should be dealt with humanely, but this is not just rich people killing animals for no reaason.
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pete620 said:
I work for my state Department of Natural Resources and one of my duties is pulling out invasive (non-native) plants, and birds. (Tree of Heaven, Garlic Mustard, and House Sparrows mostly) You can speculate on the need for controlling an invasive without seing its impact on the native species, but it is a hole nother matter once you see the impact first hand. non-native species compete with native species for limited resources, and the non-natives often win due to a lack of biological controls. There is a moral question when controllin invasives, especialy when you have not seen the damage they can cause. Did you know that non-native House Sparrows kill native Blue Birds for thier nests? Did you know that non-native Brown Tree Snakes have nearly eradicated all the native birds in Gaum? Some things to think about before you condem "richy rich" countries for controling invasive exotics.

Although the report talks about the iguana problem from a human impact perapective, however the real problem is their impact on the environment. This is especialy true for an island ecosystem with limited resources.
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I agree. They do not belong there. I have done some volunteer work to help eradicate buckthorn in IL, and it is rather depressing to see the effect of non-natives in foreign environments. It is a shame that animals will have to be put to death in the process, but I don't believe they are wrong for doing it.
 
exactly what I am saying. There is actually another thread on this subject titled 'town plagued by iguanas'
 
Yesterday I met this very nice man at a LFS that works for the gov that was searching out apple snails. Apparently it is illegal to transport them into the state but not to breed them or sell the ones that are already here. I was a little sorry to hear this because I would like one for my tank but that’s not the point of this comment. The Point ...... How would you like to have to tell people that your job is to drive around Oklahoma chasing snails? Ok, so I thought it was amusing.
 
Casey Norris said:
I get the concern over the effect on the native species, and that sucks. But how do you think these things got to where they are. Humans decided that they were cool pets and then decided they were too much trouble or were just irresponsible to let them get out. It’s not the lizard’s fault that they are there.
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Fault or not they can be a real problem, especially on islands. Likegoats, pigs, deer, rabbits, and cane toads, they need to be culled from places they do not belong. I also hate that the irresponsible ex-owners will probably cause the critters to be banned in the area.
 
I think it is totally sick and cruel. Living in South Florida myself, I see iguanas all the time. They are living by the lake near my house, they run around by the beaches, they are all over. I think they are beautiful and unique. Sad thing is, I guess since I haven't lived here my entire life, it is still a novelty in a sense. You wouldn't believe how many of them I see run over in the streets. People just don't care. Especially the rich people. It's true, money talks. As sad as that is, it is the truth.
 
Culling, of introduced species is needed, In the Galapagos goats and rats have wipe out a couple tortoise species, one lizard, and several plants, on Jamaica the mongoose has wiped out several endemic lizard, a mouse anda couple birds, on Guam the brown tree snake has emptied the forest of native birds, in Australia the list is a long one. Young iguans directly compete with native lizards.
I like iguanas and except on islands I think it is too late to get rid of the wild ones in Florida but it is a problem that needs to be dealt with.
 
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