In early February 2026, South Florida faced unprecedented cold, with temperatures dropping to 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Miami and below 30 degrees in West Palm Beach. This cold front left many green iguanas immobilized, causing residents to collect and turn them in to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for euthanasia.
The FWC initiated Executive Order 26-03, allowing the public to capture these cold-stunned iguanas without a permit for a limited period—February 1 and 2. In total, 5,195 iguanas were collected, with a significant number turned in at FWC offices in Sunrise and Tequesta. The reptiles, originally introduced to Florida during the 1960s, are classified as an invasive species due to their harmful impact on the environment.
Roger Young, executive director of the FWC, commented on the operation: “The removal of over 5,000 of these nonnative lizards in such a short time span was only possible thanks to the coordinated efforts of many staff members and residents.” Green iguanas are known to cause damage to seawalls and landscaping, impacting local ecosystems.
Those iguanas that could not be transferred to permitted wildlife handlers were humanely euthanized, as they pose a risk to property and the environment. Cold-stunned iguanas may recover once temperatures rise, but under emotional circumstances, residents were encouraged not to move them into warmer locations, as the reptiles can recover quickly and become defensive.
While the immediate danger of falling iguanas gathered attention, the FWC stressed the importance of managing invasive species in Florida. They reiterated that iguanas can be humanely removed when on private property, aside from state cruelty laws, and urged residents to be vigilant as they navigate the challenges posed by these reptiles.
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