Overview
- State wildlife officials publicly renewed their call for sightings to be reported on Wednesday and asked residents in southeast Georgia to trap and kill tegus or contact the DNR for help.
- Concentrated populations have been documented in Toombs and Tattnall counties, with more than 20 animals recorded in that area and occasional reports elsewhere in the state.
- Officials warn tegus eat eggs and small animals, putting ground‑nesting birds, gopher tortoise hatchlings, and alligator nests at risk.
- The Georgia DNR is working with the U.S. Geological Survey and Georgia Southern University to trap, remove and study tegus, and the animals may be legally trapped or hunted year‑round on private land with permission.
- Residents are advised to avoid direct contact because many tegus carry salmonella, to secure pet food and fill burrows, and to expect higher tegu activity during the June–July hatchling window as populations can grow quickly from high annual egg counts.