CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM A threat to bird nests and eggs, this iguana, 4 feet from head to tail, was in the care yesterday of Lisa Nakayama, a specialist in land vertebrates with the state Agriculture Department.

State captures iguana
off H-3 in Kaneohe

The illegal reptile is the second
spotted on Oahu this year

---

By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com

A 2-foot-long male iguana was in state custody yesterday after being captured on the side of the H-3 freeway in Kaneohe.

Lisa Nakayama, land vertebrate animal specialist for the state Department of Agriculture, said a motorist stopped on the shoulder of the freeway near the Koolau Golf Club on Monday and attempted to catch the iguana, but was unsuccessful.

The motorist called officials of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources from his cellular phone.

Crew members of the Conservation and Resources Enforcement Division helped agriculture officials catch the animal.

This is the second iguana to be found on Oahu this year, Nakayama said.

On Jan. 3, a 2 1/2-foot male iguana was spotted in Pearl City.

The iguana caught Monday is at the Plant Quarantine Station and will be transported to the zoo until it is shipped out of the state.

Iguanas, native to Central America, may reach up to 6 feet in length. Their tails are used to ward off predators.

Iguanas are vegetarians, but are known to disturb bird nests and feed on eggs.

According to state officials, it is illegal to possess or transport iguanas in Hawaii.

Persons possessing illegal animals could face a fine of up to $200,000 and three years in jail.

Those with illegal pets are encouraged to turn them in under the department's amnesty program.

Anyone with information or knowledge of illegal animals in Hawaii is asked to call the department's pest hot line at 586-PEST (7378).