Thailand bans import of iguanas, effective from November 17

The importation of all species of iguana into Thailand has been banned, effective last Friday, after many green iguanas have been sighted roaming free in the wild, especially in Phatthana Nikhom district of Lop Buri province.

Atthaphon Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, signed the edict last Friday.

The edict states that many iguanas have been sighted in the wild in Lop Buri and their numbers have increased rapidly, which may threaten the environment, the ecological system and farmland.

No permits will be granted for the import of any iguanas, to control the population in the country, until there is a change in the situation, according to the edict.

Last week, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation urged members of the public who have iguanas in their possession to notify the department….