IGUANA CAPTURED IN PUUNENE ON MAUI

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009)

Maui Humane Society officials had to go only as far as their back yard to catch an iguana. The creature was found climbing a chain-link fence adjacent to the Humane Society property in Puunene at around 2 o’clock yesterday (Thursday, February 5, 2009) afternoon. The 2-foot-long iguana, had been spotted several times earlier, but had eluded capture. Iguanas are illegal in Hawaii, and this one is being held at the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s Plant Quarantine Office in Kahului.

Iguanas are native to central Mexico through South America and are typically vegetarians, but are known to disturb bird nestlings and feed on bird eggs.

Iguanas are established in some areas on Oahu, and are occasionally sighted on Maui. It is illegal to possess or transport iguanas in the state of Hawaii. Anyone spotting an iguana or other illegal animals should immediately call the state’s toll-free hotline at 643-PEST (7378).

(Photos courtesy: Hawaii State Department of Agriculture)

Iguana captured on Maui, Photo Courtesy Hawaii Department of Agriculture

The iguana was captured near the Maui Humane Society and measured about 2 feet in length. Photo courtesy: Hawaii Department of Agriculture.