State requires lizard habitat upgrade; cage to cost $20,000

It seems as if the reptiles that call Rotary Park in Cape Coral home will remain where they are despite updated regulations mandated by the state will cost major dollars to keep them there.

Green Day, an iguana that has lived 10-plus years at Rotary Park after falling out of a tree a more than a decade ago, could be in danger of being euthanized by Florida Fish and Wildlife if his cage, and the cages of other reptiles that share the space, are not updated to fit new standards.

Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife’s Cheryl Anderson said their organization, along with Rotary Club of Cape Coral, have agreed to foot the bill for upgrades totaling nearly $20,000. City officials confirmed to The Breeze that permits for the new enclosure have been expedited, approved, and that work will begin today.

Anderson said FWC gave them a deadline of this upcoming Wednesday, but hope the start of the construction process will deter them from removing the reptiles until the process is complete.