Bangkok, Nov 22 (EFE).- Thailand has announced a ban on the import of all iguanas to prevent and control their reproduction amid an “outbreak” of the reptiles in the country.<\/p>
Iguanas are herbivorous lizards native to tropical areas of Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, but increasingly popular as exotic pets in Thailand.<\/p>
According to Thai government spokesperson Chai Watcharong, authorities have detected a \u201crapidly increasing outbreak of exotic iguanas in natural areas\u201d in Thailand, affecting the local ecosystems and environment, including distress to farmers.<\/p>
The government announced the ban in order to prevent and control their reproduction. <\/p>
It is suspected that pets have escaped and reproduced in the wild.<\/p>
Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation said Wednesday that officials have recently captured more than 150 iguanas and transferred them to wildlife centers and sanctuaries.<\/p>
Residents had complained that iguanas had eaten agricultural crops and disrupted the locals\u2019 way of life.<\/p>
According to official data, Thailand currently has some 3,419 pet iguanas, with the province of Chonburi, about 70 kilometers from Bangkok, having the most at 982. EFE <\/p>
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