Invasive species in Florida, such as Nile monitors and Argentine black-and-white tegus, are becoming a growing threat to the environment, economy, and public safety of the Sunshine State. These non-native reptiles thrive in South Florida’s warm climate, disturbed habitats, and bustling pet trade. However, their elusive nature has made it difficult to find and track their presence in the region. University of Florida researchers have been working on a focused outreach initiative in Palm Beach County to increase reports of invasive reptiles in Florida. This initiative aims to address the threat posed by these invasive species and involve the community in efforts to identify and report sightings of these cryptic reptiles.
The study, published in Scientific Reports and led by Frank Mazzotti, a professor of wildlife ecology at UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, highlights the success of the targeted outreach initiative in Palm Beach County. By encouraging residents and workers in the C-51 Basin and surrounding areas to report sightings of large invasive lizards, such as Nile monitors, researchers were able to gather valuable data on the presence of these non-native species in the region. Through various outreach methods, including in-person, online, and virtual interactions, researchers engaged with over 112,000 people and households from 2018 to 2020.
Efforts to reach the community included social media engagement with over 53,000 people, webinars for 229 individuals, email newsletters sent to 34,350 recipients, an online survey with 520 participants, and potential outreach to 20,000 people through print media. These targeted outreach strategies resulted in 55 reported sightings of invasive reptiles in Palm Beach County, with 32 of these reports directly attributed to UF/IFAS efforts. The data collected from these reports enabled researchers to map the distribution of Nile monitors and Argentine black-and-white tegus in the area, providing valuable information for monitoring and management programs.
The success of the outreach initiative in Palm Beach County demonstrated the effectiveness of different methods for detecting invasive wildlife. Newspapers were found to be the most effective in generating reports, while in-person interactions, such as door hangers and presentations, allowed for face-to-face engagement with residents. Social media proved to be a time-efficient way to spread the message to a wider audience, enabling more people to become involved in the effort to identify and report invasive reptiles. The lessons learned from this project can be replicated in other locations with different target species, leading to increased local understanding of invasive species in Florida and improved management and monitoring programs.
Overall, the targeted outreach initiative in Palm Beach County has proven to be a successful strategy for increasing reports of invasive reptiles in Florida. By engaging with the community and encouraging residents to report sightings of non-native species, researchers have been able to gather valuable data on the distribution and presence of invasive reptiles in the region. This information will be crucial for developing effective management and monitoring programs to address the growing threat posed by invasive species in Florida’s environment, economy, and public health.