MARGATE, Fla. — Men carrying long guns, riding in boats, walking onto and even shooting into yards have been a disturbing sight for residents in Paradise Gardens, a quiet senior community in Margate.

The weapons they are using are pellet guns, and the men on the boat are shooting at iguanas.

Michelle Kuramochi told Local 10 News’ Liane Morejon it is continually happening in the canal behind her home. She also showed several complaints from fellow neighbors, one who even had a pellet through their back window.

The way the group is getting rid of the invasive iguanas has become a major concern for the residents.

One video captured the hunters shooting a large iguana multiple times, even seemingly trying to drown it, before it eventually died.

Last year, Local 10 News reported on similar concerns from residents in Lauderdale Lakes, where neighbors were subjected to similar scenes behind their homes.

At the time, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said, “It is illegal to shoot any projectile over or across the private property of another without permission, including when on a canal. Florida Statute 810.09 makes it a felony offense to discharge any potentially lethal projectile over or across private land without authorization.”

Kuramochi said she wants the hunters gone before someone gets hurt.

Thursday evening, FWC responded to Local 10 News’ request for comment on the men in Margate with the following statement:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was not directly contacted about the issues with iguana trapping in Margate forwarded to us by WPLG on March 21, 2024. FWC officers have responded to the area and are looking into these allegations.

Green iguanas, like all nonnative, invasive species, are not protected in Florida except by anti-cruelty law (Florida Statutes § 828.12). They can be captured and humanely killed on private property at any time with landowner permission. Members of the public may also catch and humanely kill iguanas on 32 Commission-managed public lands without a license or permit required, under Executive Order 23-16. There is an ethical obligation to ensure iguanas and other nonnative species are killed in a humane manner that results in immediate loss of consciousness and destruction of the brain.

— Arielle Callender - Public Information Director – South Region, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Margate residents concerned over gun-toting iguana hunters

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Liane Morejon