Former Pet Iguanas Loose and Free in South Australia
| Iguanas are wreaking havoc all across South Australia. Population number estimates put the number of Iguanas from thousands to tens of thousands. Residents are angry that the creatures are eating and destroying lawn vegetation while others are very frightened by their presence; they can grow up to 6 feet long. The Iguanas thrive in Australias hot climate and are prospering and expanding northwards.
Iguanas are not native to Australia. These introduced species were either former pets, offspring of these former pets or escapees from cages. The Iguana infestation illustrates how selling and owning exotic pets should be banned so that new Iguanas will not be introduced to the wild. Luckily, the Iguanas are not causing harm to the native wildlife unlike other non-native species that are also thriving in the wilds of SA. These harmful non-natives include the Burmese python, Gambian giant pouch rats, walking catfish, Quaker parrots and Bufo toads, to name just a few. Bufo toads have already a bad and well-documented history of causing great harm to the native wildlife, and domestic animals, in Australia. They were brought into the country to help eat the insects that were destroying the sugar cane fields. Their population numbers exploded and have infiltrated every part Australia, destroying native wildlife and habitats in the process. Domestic pets such as dogs and cats were also mortally affected when they would try to eat the toads and were killed by the toxic poison in the toads' skin. Some of Australia's wildlife experts agree that the Iguanas can't be completely eradicated. Since they are not causing great harm to the native wildlife and habitats, they suggest that residents should sit back and enjoy having something unique to Australia. |