TAINAN (TVBS News) — Tainan City Government's (台南市政府) Agriculture Bureau (農業局) will open online registration at 9 a.m. on Thursday (Jan. 16) for its green iguana control training session. The city's first green iguana (綠鬣蜥) control training session is set to take place on Jan. 21, limited to 100 participants. This training aims to equip citizens with the skills needed to address the invasive species issue.
Chu Chien-ming (朱健明), head of the Agriculture Bureau's Forestry and Nature Conservation Branch (森林及自然保育科), highlighted mismanagement as the root cause of the green iguana invasion. He remarked that removing them is necessary to prevent ecological and industrial damage. Chu explained that understanding the iguanas' ecology, habitat, and preferences is crucial for efficient removal, as they primarily inhabit the San Ye Gong (三爺宮), Erren (二仁), and Bajhang (八掌) river basins.
Eligible Tainan residents aged 18 and above can register for the training. Participants who complete the course will receive a certificate and can join the Tainan Green Iguana Removal Team. Chu assured those unable to attend this session that the Agriculture Bureau plans to hold monthly training sessions, offering more opportunities for involvement. The initiative reflects Tainan's proactive approach to managing invasive species and preserving its ecological balance. Interested citizens are encouraged to register promptly to secure a spot in the upcoming training.
