More than 300 people are set to take part in an Iguana cull across the country this week.
The Department of Environment says Iguana cullers need to seek permission from property owners as they take part in this week’s massive cull.
According to the Department of Environment, there is need for sensitivity as the necessary but gruesome initiative to protect Cayman’s indigenous flora and fauna and the wider environment may distress some members of the public.
The cullers are encouraged to respect the sensitivities of onlookers and ensure landowners are happy for them to remove the animals from their property.
“It is up to the individual culler to obtain such permissions from the property owners or managers. A culling contract or registration does not confer any authority to enter any property without the owner or property manager’s permission,” officials said in directives issued ahead of the cull for both the public and those taking part.
The department notes that cull registration cards carried by green iguana cullers do not give cardholders permission to enter anyone’s private property, nor do they allow cullers to carry firearms.
Last year, a Department of Environment annual survey showed a population increase of nearly 200,000 iguanas.
Between 2014 and 2017, the estimated green iguana population in Grand Cayman swelled from 254,162 to 1,060,687.
In 2017, Head of the Department of Environment’s Terrestrial Resources Unit, Fred Burton said at least 500,000 iguanas will have to be culled to have any meaningful impact on the iguana population.
no leave them alone they did nothing to you
Nature has a way of taking care of its own. Not in agreement with this at all. Will be on Island next week, hope all is humanly done. I have raised a green Iguana from baby to 5 foot long, Male, and 9 years old. They do attach and make loving pets, but with lots of care.
HORRIBLE. The ones that take part r horrible monsters. Why is it ok for disgusting humans to kill poor defence beautiful creatures of all kinds.
You all saying “oh leave these poor creatures alone!” Those same creatures eat whatever plant and destroys any plantation from eating it and they lay so many eggs so until you all that comment come and visit my country and see how a pest they really are, you should refrain on calling them beautiful cause nothing about them are!