TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) announced Monday (Nov. 18) an increase in the removal subsidy for each green iguana to NT$800, aiming to bolster eradication efforts. Originating from Central and South America and the Caribbean, these iguanas became an ecological concern in Taiwan after being introduced through the exotic pet trade and subsequently abandoned by owners.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), Taiwan has removed 210,000 green iguanas over the past six years. Chen plans to establish a task force to facilitate cross-country and inter-ministerial cooperation. During a legislative meeting on Monday, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) legislator Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) emphasized the iguanas' spread to agricultural counties south of Yunlin, urging the ministry to expedite removal efforts.
Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) legislator Hung Meng-kai (洪孟楷) expressed concern over potential expansion into central and northern regions, calling for more aggressive government action. Chen acknowledged the difficulty in estimating the current iguana population, suggesting it could be three times the captured amount. The ministry aims to remove 100,000 iguanas next year.
As the government steps up its efforts, the public and local authorities remain vigilant about the iguana threat. The task force's creation marks a significant step in addressing the ecological impact, and further developments are anticipated as officials work to control the invasive species.
