Feds help island with north end iguanas
If you’ve been seeing a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) truck out on the Boca Grande Causeway lately, it’s because it’s prime season for iguana hunting.
While the Lee County portion of the island uses trapper George Cera, who has been on the job for about 16 years, the Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) takes care of the iguana issue in the Charlotte County part of the island. They hired the USDA about 10 years ago.
A retired Illinois police officer named Russ Reike was out and about on Tuesday. He had one full trap and one empty trap, ready to be set out.
“I remove them from the island,” said Reike, who said the USDA has collected over 275 in this round.
The USDA officers have forms with them, if private residents see them and need help.
“They need to get with the gentlemen they see driving around in the truck,” said Reike.
Residents may remove iguanas themselves without a permit, but they must use legal and humane methods.
To find out more, visit myfwc.com or you can go to the Boca Beacon’s iguana news archive at https://bocabeacon.com/?s=iguana.
