Officials are stepping up efforts to control iguanas in Miri, Malaysia. In just three operations, forest officials captured 49 reptiles to stop the invasive animals from threatening the local ecosystem.
Here's what to know
According to DayakDaily, after park visitors raised concerns about invasive iguanas at Taman Bulatan in Miri, the Sarawak Forestry Corporation increased its response.
SFC Miri Region manager Louis Velda told the outlet that what began as a joint effort with the Miri City Council has since widened to include several other agencies.
The invasive iguanas are thought to have become more numerous after some were either released or escaped from captivity. Invasive species can disrupt the balance of local habitats, especially once they begin breeding and spreading beyond a single contained location.
Velda told DayakDaily that complaints from the public helped drive the response, adding that some people had seen the animals themselves and were frightened by their presence.
More background
Once non-native animals become established in the wild, removing them is far more difficult than preventing the problem in the first place.
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If the iguanas spread into surrounding areas, officials could face a larger and more costly challenge, with greater risks to native plants and animals. Left unchecked, that kind of spread can undermine progress toward healthier, more resilient ecosystems that benefit both people and wildlife.
What's being done?
Forest officials said they will keep monitoring the park and capturing iguanas to stop them from moving into nearby areas.
The goal is containment as much as removal. Residents have been urged to report sightings so wildlife managers can better track where the animals are appearing and respond more quickly.
Officials have also warned the public not to release exotic pets into the wild.
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