Green Iguana Sightings in Hualien Raise Alarm Over Potential Spread

Hualien County is on alert after a mature male green iguana was spotted crossing a road in Shoufeng Township on August 8. This sighting marks the third reported instance this year, following two removals in Jiansi Township. While the county government states that green iguanas are still sporadically found in Hualien, the increasing number of reports has sparked concerns about a potential spread. Native to Central and South America, green iguanas have already established populations in southern Taiwan, including Taitung, Pingtung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Changhua. Hualien County's Agriculture Department has documented sightings and removals in various locations between 2022 and 2025. This year, two iguanas were removed from Jiansi Township between March and May, with further traces observed in the same area between June and July. The recent sighting in Shoufeng Township, in northern Hualien, suggests a possible expansion. County officials, along with specialized units, attempted to locate the iguana but were unsuccessful. The department is intensifying patrols and monitoring in areas like Jiansi, Shoufeng, and along the Hualien River to track any activity and spread. Residents are advised not to attempt to capture the iguanas themselves, as they can bite or lash out with their tails, potentially causing injury and making escape more difficult. Instead, the public is urged to immediately take photos, record the time and location, and report sightings to the Hualien County Government's Agriculture Department or the 1999 citizen hotline. The county will dispatch personnel to confirm and remove the animals as necessary.

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If you find a suspected individual, please take a photo immediately and record the time and location information, then call the Hualien County Government's Agriculture Department's Conservation and Forestry Section hotline 03-8226050, or the 1999 citizen hotline to report.