Taiwan sets bounty on heads of 120,000 iguanas
IndependentJan 22
The Facts
Taiwan plans to cull as many as 120K out of an estimated 200K green iguanas to curb the species' impact on farmers across the island's southern and central regions.
The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency has allocated NT$20M ($608K) for the culling program. Professional hunters will receive bounties of NT$500 for large iguanas and NT$200 for smaller ones, while the general public will receive half these amounts.
Professional hunting teams eliminated approximately 70K iguanas in 2024, with the highest numbers in Pingtung County (45K), followed by Tainan (12K), Chiayi (9.9K), Kaohsiung (6.5K), and Changhua (5K).
The Spin
Narrative A
This culling program is essential for protecting Taiwan's agricultural sector and restoring ecological balance. Invasive iguanas cause widespread damage to critical crops — including red beans and gourds — threatening both farm productivity and native species.
Narrative B
Rather than aggressive elimination, the focus should be on humane treatment and appropriate control methods for these iguanas. This includes teaching farmers safer methods, proper handling techniques, and ensuring that animals are treated humanely during the necessary population control efforts.
