Green Iguanas Roam Wild in Thailand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The importation of all species of iguana into Thailand has been banned, effective last Friday, after many green iguanas (Scientific name: Iguana iguana) have been sighted roaming free in the countryside, raiding farms and damaging the local environment.

 

Atthaphon Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, signed the edict last Friday. 

 

The edict states that many iguanas have been seen in the wild, especially in Phatthana Nikhom district of Lopburi province. and their numbers have increased rapidly, which may threaten the environment, the ecological system and farmland. No permits will be granted for the import of any iguanas, to control the population in the country, until there is a change in the situation, according to the edict. 

 

Environmental concerns have been raised over the activities of the herbivorous lacertilians, which are thought to be pets that have either escaped or been deliberately released into the wild.

 

Last week, the public who have iguanas in their possession were told to notify the department. So far, 244 owners of green iguanas with a total of 3,419 animals have been reported, with the province of Chonburi having the highest number with 982 animals.

 

It was said on Tuesday that 134 iguanas had been captured in Pattana Nikom district, Lopburi, around 160 kilometres north of Bangkok. A further six were discovered in Udon Thani, in the country’s northeast, and 23 more elsewhere in Thailand.

 

However, specialists claim that Thailand possesses native lizards with green skin that resembles the green iguana. It is known as the “Takong” or Chinese water dragon (Scientific name: Physignathus cocincinus).

 

According to Dr. Jessada Denduangboriphan, lecturer at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, this may lead to the misunderstanding that “Takong” is a “green iguana” and so capture or injure it.  In Thailand, Chinese water dragons are protected wild animals that are on the verge of extinction, but iguanas are controlled animals. As a result, people should be cautious and thoroughly check.