A colorful yet destructive creature, the invasive green iguana has plagued South Florida since the 1960s. They are believed to have made their way into Florida as stowaways on ships from Central and South America. Some were also kept as pets, but when they outgrew their cages they either escaped or were released into the wild.
While these reptiles may captivate tourists with their vibrant hues, they pose a significant threat to the region’s delicate ecosystem. These non-native invaders and voracious feeders consume a wide range of native vegetation, making landscaping a challenging endeavor for local residents.
Their appetite extends beyond ornamental plants, as they devour sea turtle and bird eggs, pluck off the endangered Stock Island tree snails from the branches and feast on the essential food sources of native insects. The impact of these invasive reptiles is particularly devastating for species like the Miami Blue Butterfly, which has been driven to functional extinction due to the loss of its host plants, not to mention the deadly bacteria that iguanas carry with them while crawling around.
Key West-based Invasive EnVogue is on the front lines of the charge against the invasive green iguana menace. Founded in 2021 as a personal mission to protect South Florida’s fragile ecosystem, this environmentally-conscious company, helmed by Brandon Vise and Dawn Davis, is employing a unique approach to eradicate these pests. By capturing, consuming and repurposing these invasive reptiles, the company aims to minimize their ecological impact and promote sustainable practices.
“When the iguanas leave droppings, they have harmful salmonella that can get into the water and on surfaces,” said Vise, co-owner of Invasive EnVogue. “For example, when a person touches a surface with iguana droppings on it such as a boat, pool deck or furniture, it can lead to people becoming very sick from the bacteria if they ingest it. This can be really dangerous for people’s health and problematic for our native animals and for property owners who want a nicely landscaped yard.”
Much like the notorious lionfish invading and wreaking havoc on the Keys’ precious marine ecosystems, because iguanas reproduce so rapidly and are getting out of control, FWC also encourages the removal of these pesky creatures by the most humane methods possible.
“We wanted to do something to help the environment that was incredibly different,” said Davis. “We knew that people eat iguanas in Central America, so we decided to try it and we loved it!”
She praised Vise’s creativity for the pair’s first creations: “Brandon is incredibly creative, so one night when we were skinning an iguana we decided to keep the claws and skin,” she said. “The next day, he wrapped the skin around a koozie and voila – the iguana-skin koozie was born.”
The two kept tinkering, creating items like claw earrings, back scratchers, shot glasses, flasks and necklaces, along with sharing their journeys with their YouTube channel, “Invasive EnVogue.”
“We are still experimenting all the time to come up with exclusive ideas,” Davis said. “We have even experimented with how to cook the iguana meat. I love making iguana pot pie and dip and I have about 20 really amazing iguana recipes I like to make for my family here. They are actually very healthy for people as they are free-roaming, have no harmful antibiotics and hardly any fat.”
From modest beginnings, Invasive EnVogue has become a recognized force in the fight against invasive iguanas, securing licenses from both Monroe County and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Their hunting techniques, involving specialized air rifles that can sometimes be mistaken for more powerful firearms, have raised eyebrows and attention. The company has been tirelessly removing thousands of these invasive reptiles from the Florida Keys since 2021. To share their passion and expertise, they now offer guided iguana hunts tailored to individuals of all skill levels and physical abilities.
“Green iguanas are causing millions of dollars of damage undermining sea walls and foundations alone,” said Davis. “The removal of green iguanas from your property is a task that you should leave to professionals who know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to solving your iguana problem. Instead of facing the problem alone, we encourage homeowners to seek our assistance in removing these pesky animals that endanger native species in the canal banks and other areas of South Florida. They are constantly invading other burrows, eating any eggs or baby animals they find, including endangered sea turtles, marsh hares, birds, gopher tortoises, burrowing owls and land crabs.”
Invasive EnVogue manages iguanas from Key West to Key Largo. More information is at www.invasiveenvogue.com, 251-402-4402 or InvasiveEnVogue@gmail.com.
