By RK Shih/Staff
PINGTUNG — The Pingtung County Government Water Resources Department (屏東縣政府水利處) is strengthening its response to the rapid spread of green iguanas by integrating invasive species monitoring into routine waterway inspections carried out by trained volunteers.
Green iguanas (綠鬣蜥), an invasive species in southern Taiwan, have multiplied quickly in recent years, particularly along riverbanks, farmland, and drainage slopes. Their burrowing behavior can undermine embankments and weaken drainage infrastructure, increasing risks during heavy rainfall and flood events.
To address the issue, the Water Resources Department has added green iguana ecology and reporting procedures to its annual volunteer training program. Volunteers are taught how to identify iguana behavior, recognize common habitats, and document sightings through standardized photo and reporting protocols while conducting regular drainage patrols.
Officials emphasized that volunteers are not involved in capture or removal operations. Their role is limited to observation and reporting to ensure public safety. Reported data are shared with agricultural and animal protection agencies to help identify infestation hotspots and guide coordinated control efforts.
The county government said combining community-based monitoring with professional management is essential as invasive species and extreme weather increasingly intersect, posing complex challenges for water safety and environmental stability.
