An out-of-place orange iguana was rescued from the wilds of Cherry Creek State Park this week after a park visitor reported the wayward reptile.
Orange iguanas are native to Central and South America. The species can be aggressive if they feel threatened.
Animal care and protection staffers aren’t sure whether the iguana escaped from an owner, or whether the animal was dumped in the park, said Alyssa Haden, field supervisor with Arapahoe County Animal Services.
More than likely the iguana was released, Haden said, as on no owner contacting local officials about a lost or escaped iguana.
“He seemed used to being handled, pretty docile,” Haden said.
The release of non-native species into parks and open lands is problematic for a number of reasons, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
“It’s never a good idea to release pets or exotic animals,” said Kara Van Hoos​e, a CPW spokesperson. “Don’t put anything into our parks or onto our lands that’s not supposed to be there.”
Animals in non-native areas can introduce harmful pathogens and parasites, Van Hoose said. They can compete for native species resources, prey on resident species or become prey.
“We don’t know how it is going to react because it is not supposed to be here,” Van Hoose said.
The iguana lucked out on timing, the tropical native would have been in immediate trouble had the person who let it loose carried out the release in winter.
“Reptiles won’t do well in our winter environment,” she said. “This was not fair to the iguana.”
Meanwhile, the male iguana is being held at the Aurora Animal Shelter, Haden said.
If the owner does not come forward, the reptile will be released to a Colorado agency that specifically shelters and cares for reptiles. That agency will try to find a permanent home and a new owner for the 3-foot long iguana.
