STATE OF FLORIDA
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 26-03
Special regulations for the collection and
transport of live, nonnative green iguanas
during unusual cold-weather event in South
and Southwest Regions
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution, and Florida Administrative Code Rule 68-1.009,
the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, hereby allows the temporary collection and
transport of live, nonnative green iguanas (Iguana iguana} on and from any property where an
individual has landowner permission in the South (Broward, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Martin, MiamiDade,
Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie counties} and Southwest Regions (Charlotte,
De Soto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Manatee, Sarasota
counties}. This order is necessary to manage wildlife due to exigent circumstances related to an
unusual cold-weather event.
1} Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in 68-5, Florida Administrative Code, and subject to
the limitations of Paragraphs 4 through 6 below, applicable rules for collecting and
transporting nonnative green iguanas are waived for persons opportunistically removing
cold-stunned iguanas from properties where they have landowner permission to conduct
these activities and, on any Commission-managed property.
2) A hunting license, management area permit, or other Commission permit is not required to
collect and transport live green iguanas consistent with Paragraphs 4 through 6 below on
Sunday, February 1, 2026, and Monday, February 2, 2026, until 4 p.m. EST.
3} The regulations apply to any property where an individual has landowner permission to
conduct these activities, and any Commission-managed property in South and Southwest
Regions during the unusual cold-weather event on Sunday, February 1, and Monday,
February 2, 2026.
4) Nonnative green iguanas (Iguana iguana} may be collected using legal and humane methods
and must be transported to Commission drop-off locations with 24 hours of capture and no
later than 4 p.m. EST on Monday, February 2, 2026.
a. Use of traps on Commission-managed properties is prohibited.
b. Iguanas collected from the wild in Florida shall be maintained in cloth sacks that are
sealed shut throughout the duration of field collection activities. These cloth sacks
shall be secure and escape proof.
5) For the purposes of transportation of collected wild-caught green iguanas in a vehicle, vessel,
or other motorized device, after field collection activity is completed, all closed and sealed
cloth sacks shall be transferred into a secure, locked transport container prominently labeled
“Prohibited Reptiles.”
6) The cloth sacks used for collection of iguanas shall not be reopened after transport has
begun.
7) Commission drop-off locations will be open and available to accept properly contained live
green iguanas from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. ES T on Sunday, February 1, 2026, and from 8 a.m. – 4
p.m. EST on Monday, February 2, 2026. Drop-off locations include Commission offices at:
a. South Florida Regional Lab, 2796 Overseas Highway 119, Marathon, FL 33050
b. FWC Office, 10052 NW 53rd Street, Sunrise, FL 33351
c. Tequesta Field Lab, 19100 SE Federal Highway (US 1 ), Te questa, FL 33469
d. FWC Law Enforcement Office, 2423 Edwards Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33901
e. FWC Southwest Regional Office, 3900 Drane Field Road, Lakeland, FL 33811
8) Only wild-caught green iguanas will be accepted as part of these efforts.
9) All other Commission regulations not in conflict with this order shall apply.
10) Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize any activity or entrance upon private property
without permission of the landowner.
11) This order shall take effect upon signing and shall expire on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 4
p.m. EST, unless it is extended by amendment.
Specific Authority:
Law Implemented:
Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution
Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF THE
FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA