TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, working with local governments, culled around 260,000 green iguanas last year, setting a record and tripling the 2024 total, CNA reported.

Green iguanas, mainly found in central and southern Taiwan, are causing growing concern. The invasive reptiles feed on crops, damaging farms, and compete with native herbivores, threatening local ecosystems.

Typically seen in trees along riverbanks, the animals dig burrows to lay eggs. Each female can lay up to 80 eggs between March and May, and mild winters have helped the species survive.

The agency said it set up a department last year to curb the growing green iguana population. This year, it plans to raise the bounty for captured iguanas and upgrade its reporting app with enhanced AI-powered recognition to prevent the species from spreading north.

Last year, Pingtung recorded the highest number of green iguana captures, with 130,288 removed, followed by Kaohsiung with 62,608. The reptiles have also been spotted in Miaoli and Hsinchu, prompting the agency to work with local governments in these areas to strengthen patrols.

In Taiwan, individuals who complete a local government training course and pass an assessment are eligible to join capture teams and receive a bounty. Those who capture the animals without training cannot claim the reward.

The agency said bounties for iguanas longer than 30 cm have been raised from NT$250 (US$8) to NT$300 per animal, while smaller iguanas earn NT$50. Contractors hired by local governments receive NT$500 per iguana over 30 cm and NT$100 for those under 30 cm.

Areas along county borders, rugged terrain and near military camps are often overlooked for green iguana capture. To address this, the agency has formed specialized teams to focus on these areas, while local governments handle densely populated regions and river basins.

The agency added that more than 1,600 people in Taiwan have completed capture training and passed the assessment. The government will also continue recruiting additional personnel.