Enough is enough. The feral iguanas are breeding out of control and they are taking over the island. What was once an exotic, fascinating creature to spot on occasion has become a dangerous and destructive nuisance. The fault lies not with them. As an invasive species, they have no predators here, and so their numbers continue to rise. Humans are responsible for their presence, and humans must be responsible for removing them.
Iguanas present a serious health hazard. Their feces are known to contain salmonella bacteria. We are all at risk of contracting a nasty case, especially infants, children and pets.
Adult iguanas are dangerous. Male iguana can grow to be 6 feet in length, with the heavy, thick tail comprising 2.5 - 3 feet of that length. Iguanas use their tail for defense, and a whack from that tail could injure or even kill a cat or small dog, perhaps even a child.
Iguanas roam freely all over the island now, especially in the neighborhoods surrounding the cemetery. They are in our trees, in our yards, devouring every flowering thing within their reach. They are in our pools, they are digging down and breeding in compost piles and broken crypts in the cemetery, laying thousands of eggs every season. They are urinating and defecating on our cars, our bikes, our scooters, our decks and patios...even on humans and pets unlucky enough to be under a tree at the wrong time. Many of us can no longer enjoy our own outdoor spaces.
The iguana problem has been put off or ignored by our city government one breeding season at a time, and during that time it has grown exponentially. It has now reached epidemic proportions. Our city leaders must take definitive action now, and rid our island, as humanely as possible, of this invasive, destructive creature.
