Green iguanas are causing huge problems for red bean farmers in southern Taiwan's Pingtung County, devouring large portions of their crops. Despite government efforts, the invasive species shows no signs of retreat.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00It's raining green iguanas here in Pingtung in southern Taiwan.
00:07But this isn't a sign of thriving local wildlife.
00:10Rather, it's the result of an invasive species taking root and spreading in the area.
00:16And as they multiply, they're causing serious damage to local crops,
00:22especially the local red beans.
00:25The iguanas are so bold, they even feed in broad daylight.
00:30It's very dangerous to eat them raw.
00:34It's also very dangerous to eat them raw.
00:36Because if you cook them raw,
00:39they can cost up to NT$20,000.
00:42And if you feed them raw,
00:44they can't survive for many years.
00:46It's very dangerous.
00:47We can only eat one or half of them.
00:51Red bean planting season started in October,
00:54and within just a few weeks,
00:56the green iguanas chewed through local fields,
00:59devastating the farmers' young tender crops.
01:02Some farmers set up nets around their plants to protect them.
01:14The method isn't very effective.
01:16Setting up nets is time-consuming and pricey.
01:29When the foreign species are invaded,
01:32the farmers are no longer willing to produce.
01:34Before the red beans mature, they're already eaten by the green iguanas.
01:37I spent money once, twice, three times.
01:39Why do I have to plant them?
01:41I changed my career.
01:42I sell fish nets, and I make more money than red beans.
01:44Oh, it's like...
01:48I'll die if I keep doing this.
01:51I haven't eaten anything for three days in this area.
01:57If I keep doing this, I'll die.
02:01Many farmers have turned to the area's councillor,
02:03Hong Zhongqi, for help.
02:05This is when the local government can step in
02:08to help arrange hunters to remove the iguanas.
02:18To remove the green iguanas,
02:20hunters head out during the night,
02:22when they're easier to capture.
02:24They use slingshots and snake tongs
02:26to capture as many as they can.
02:33Pingtung County is seeing an ever-growing population of iguanas,
02:37with more removed each year.
02:40The number of removals increased from 4,000
02:43to over 34,000 in recent years.
02:48With such a large population of green iguanas in Pingtung
02:51and the red bean planting season underway,
02:54removing the lizards isn't just about controlling an invasive species.
02:59It's a critical step in supporting local farmers
03:02and protecting their livelihoods.
03:04Hang Xu and Sani Qi for Taiwan Plus.