The Wildwood NJ Iguana Story

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Posted by Samcin on October 29, 2000 at 17:16:46:

THE PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY
Tuesday, August 15, 2000 Section: REGION Page: C1 'NIGHT TO THE IGUANA / REPTILES SPEND LAST SUMMER ON WILDWOOD BOARDS By TRUDI GILFILLIAN Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716 To avoid having a colony of iguanas appear under the city's Boardwalk overnight, officials are giving Boardwalk iguana sellers until Sept. 10 to reduce their inventories of the common lizard. After that date, iguana sales on the city's Boardwalk will be prohibited.

"We're giving them time so they won't order any more," said Nicholas J. Thalasinos, an environmental health specialist with the Cape May County Health Department. "We're hoping the supply will be used up by Sept. 10." The Health Department is expected to issue a letter today or Wednesday to the Boardwalk's dozen or so iguana purveyors informing them of the ban. Numerous complaints about iguana sales on the Boardwalk have been received by the city this summer, Boardwalk Inspector Pat Sarnese and Commissioner Fred Wager said. "The problem is they get big and people dump them," Wager said, "I've had at least 25 calls about it. People feel sorry for the animals." Citing complaints about the lizards and their condition, the city asked the Health Department to address the matter. According to the letter to be sent to Boardwalk merchants, state law designates that a shop selling reptiles is a pet shop and must be regulated by state law. Because none of the Boardwalk stores selling iguanas are licensed by the state, county or city as pet shops, the stores are in violation of the law, the letter continues. Among the complaints received by the city are that the iguanas are being kept in small, cramped tanks and then sold to people who are uninformed about the care the lizards require. Sarnese said some stores were not providing any directions on care of the animals, while others gave incorrect information. On other occasions, the lizards have arrived home with their new owners and then suddenly died, he said. One complainant wrote, "It is cruel to the animal and to the misinformed pet owner." Iguana owner Drea DeLuca, of Clifton, said that, after learning of the Boardwalk iguana problem, she welcomed the ban. "It's just sad; it's an overlooked animal," said DeLuca, who found out about the iguana sales after a friend visited the Boardwalk. DeLuca, who recently rescued three iguanas in her hometown, has three male iguanas, each at least 5 feet in length. Iguanas, which can live for up to 20 years, can grow up to 4 to 6 feet in length. The animals require plenty of greens for food, they can triple in size in a year, and they require trips to the veterinarian like any pet, DeLuca said. The annual cost of caring for the animals can be several hundred dollars. "They require work, commitment and expense," DeLuca said, "To me, it's like having three kids. They're a lot of work." When the animals grow or the novelty wears off, the iguanas are often abandoned, but few places will take them in, Thalasinos added. Wildwood officials are hoping that other Cape May County communities will join the city in requesting the county Health Department prohibit iguana sales anywhere other than at licensed pet stores.

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: THE PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY : Tuesday, August 15, 2000 Section: REGION Page: C1 'NIGHT TO THE IGUANA / REPTILES SPEND LAST SUMMER ON WILDWOOD BOARDS By TRUDI GILFILLIAN Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716 To avoid having a colony of iguanas appear under the city's Boardwalk overnight, officials are giving Boardwalk iguana sellers until Sept. 10 to reduce their inventories of the common lizard. After that date, iguana sales on the city's Boardwalk will be prohibited. : "We're giving them time so they won't order any more," said Nicholas J. Thalasinos, an environmental health specialist with the Cape May County Health Department. "We're hoping the supply will be used up by Sept. 10." The Health Department is expected to issue a letter today or Wednesday to the Boardwalk's dozen or so iguana purveyors informing them of the ban. Numerous complaints about iguana sales on the Boardwalk have been received by the city this summer, Boardwalk Inspector Pat Sarnese and Commissioner Fred Wager said. "The problem is they get big and people dump them," Wager said, "I've had at least 25 calls about it. People feel sorry for the animals." Citing complaints about the lizards and their condition, the city asked the Health Department to address the matter. According to the letter to be sent to Boardwalk merchants, state law designates that a shop selling reptiles is a pet shop and must be regulated by state law. Because none of the Boardwalk stores selling iguanas are licensed by the state, county or city as pet shops, the stores are in violation of the law, the letter continues. Among the complaints received by the city are that the iguanas are being kept in small, cramped tanks and then sold to people who are uninformed about the care the lizards require. Sarnese said some stores were not providing any directions on care of the animals, while others gave incorrect information. On other occasions, the lizards have arrived home with their new owners and then suddenly died, he said. One complainant wrote, "It is cruel to the animal and to the misinformed pet owner." Iguana owner Drea DeLuca, of Clifton, said that, after learning of the Boardwalk iguana problem, she welcomed the ban. "It's just sad; it's an overlooked animal," said DeLuca, who found out about the iguana sales after a friend visited the Boardwalk. DeLuca, who recently rescued three iguanas in her hometown, has three male iguanas, each at least 5 feet in length. Iguanas, which can live for up to 20 years, can grow up to 4 to 6 feet in length. The animals require plenty of greens for food, they can triple in size in a year, and they require trips to the veterinarian like any pet, DeLuca said. The annual cost of caring for the animals can be several hundred dollars. "They require work, commitment and expense," DeLuca said, "To me, it's like having three kids. They're a lot of work." When the animals grow or the novelty wears off, the iguanas are often abandoned, but few places will take them in, Thalasinos added. Wildwood officials are hoping that other Cape May County communities will join the city in requesting the county Health Department prohibit iguana sales anywhere other than at licensed pet stores.

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