Georgia's Invasive Argentine Tegu Problem Explodes: Who's Profiting From This Ecological Crisis?
A new report reveals the Argentine tegu lizard population in Georgia has surged by over 300% in the last five years, with sightings now confirmed in 27 counties—up from just nine in 2020. State wildlife officials call it a "critical threat" to native species like gopher tortoises and ground-nesting birds. But a closer look shows this isn't just an ecological accident. Local pest control companies have seen a 450% spike in "exotic removal" contracts since 2022, while a small network of breeders stands accused of selling these same lizards—banned in Georgia as "wildlife contraband"—through online classifieds. One breeder, arrested in August, allegedly shipped over 200 tegus to buyers across the Southeast using "pet relocation" loopholes. Meanwhile, the state's $2 million eradication budget relies on trapping contractors tied to a private firm that also supplies eggs to reptile expos. Critics ask: is the crisis being managed or manufactured? With tegus fetching $500 each on the black market, the line between conservation and commerce is getting dangerously blurred.