The Controversial Way Florida Researchers Are Dealing With Invasive Iguanas

Experts are in disagreement over the most humane—and legal—way to kill the invasive reptiles.

There's a bounty out for iguanas' heads in southeastern Florida.

A team of 15 researchers from the University of Florida have been hunting down invasive iguanas with captive bolt guns as part of a three-month, $63,000 research project. Contracted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the project aims to remove the rampant reptiles. It will run until May.

In addition to skewering the reptiles' skulls with captive bolt guns, which are used to stun or kill commercial livestock, the team is also smashing the iguana's heads against solid objects, like the truck and boat they use to hunt the lizards down.

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