Guana Haven Capstone Project 2022

Guana Haven is an organization created to save iguanas in Florida. Iguanas are seen as pests and are euthanized because they are considered a threat to Florida’s natural ecosystems and infrastructure. This organization attempts to save some iguanas by adoption so that they can avoid untimely deaths and get the chance to live happy lives.

Guana Haven helps provide products to help start new owners off as well as a source of ongoing supplies that iguana owners might want or need for their iguanas. The organization informs caretakers of the requirements necessary to own these animals so that responsible owners are the only ones allowed to adopt. Adopters must be fully aware of the animals’ needs and understand that they are long-term commitments that require high levels of maintenance. They are not for beginners and can pose risks for inexperienced persons that are uninformed of how to handle them.

When looking into this topic, I discovered that there is a lack of effort to save these iguanas. The first solution that was proposed and is often prioritized is to euthanize the animals. People avoid researching other options to save the animals. The solutions I propose investigating are adoption, relocation efforts (to their natural habitats or wildlife reservations), or research into forms of safe castration (chemical or surgical) that can help to combat their increasing population numbers.

I am life that wants to live, in the midst of life that wants to live. — Albert Schweitzer