Wildlife in Windwood
Iguanas - are an Invasive Species
Iguanas are a non-native (i.e. invasive) species in South Florida and have become a costly issue for many homeowners and HOA's - including Windwood.
The Iguanas are unwelcome guests with boundary issues, feasting on your orchids, bougainvillea, roses & hibiscus by day, snoozing in your palm trees by night and relieving themselves in our Windwood swimming pools or on your private patios.
Iguanas damage our landscaping, they eat your plants in your garden areas, damage trees when nesting and leave behind deposits of salmonella poisoning. In addition, our homeowners are finding Iguanas burrowing into their roofs, sheds or garages, and digging/damaging our seawall.
Are Iguanas Harmful?
Iguanas are wild animals and can grow to over 5 feet in length. When cornered iguanas can be dangerous and aggressive to humans. Iguana and other reptiles, through their droppings, can pass on salmonella to a handler. Symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and nausea.
How can we remove (or reduce the population) of Iguanas from Windwood?
While we cannot remove all iguanas from our Windwood Community your Board of Directors has hired a professional Iguana mitigation company (Iguana Guards) to assist with humane Iguana eradication. This includes destroying iguana eggs, and humanely eradicating iguanas who have infested/burrowed into our seawalls, homes, sheds, pool and other common area where our children play.
The Florida Wildlife and Conservation Commission (FWCC) has defined the iguanas that can be found throughout the South Florida area as an invasive species, not native to the state but recognized as causing a great impact to native wildlife. By being non-native, iguanas are not protected in Florida and can be eradicated humanely.
Coyotes - are Native to South Florida
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), It’s likely that we will have coyote sightings in our area, but it is possible to reduce encounters and coexist with them.
There are two main steps to preventing conflicts with coyotes:
Step 1: Secure attractants
Do not keep food or feed cats or any other animal outside Remove bird seed and fruit from trees from the ground Secure garbage
Keep pets on a short leash Coyotes can and do prey on cats and small dogs. They should not be left to free roam outside unsupervised, especially overnight, and should be walked on short, non-retractable leashes.
Please keep in mind that feeding coyotes, raccoons, and foxes is illegal per Rule 68A-4.001 General Prohibitions. If you believe someone is feeding any of this wildlife, you may report it to the Wildlife Alert Hotline (888)404-3922.
Step 2: Haze the coyote
You should use hazing techniques (such as yelling, using air horns, blow a whistle etc.) to scare the coyotes away every time you see them.
Remain at a safe distance and make sure the coyote has a clear escape route in a direction away from you. Continue to haze until they are out of sight.
Children should be taught to recognize coyotes- if approached, they should back away slowly and yell. They should be taught not to run, which could cause the animal to chase.
A “coyote shaker”- an empty soda can with pebbles, pennies, or washers inside- can also be used for hazing Coexisting with Coyotes:
Coyotes being out during the day is not uncommon, nor does it mean they are sick or a danger to humans. Coyotes are naturally afraid of humans. They will not attack or harm, they are afraid. They will prey on animals, that is a food source for them. Scare away the coyote; make them feel unwanted and unsafe by Hazing.
Do not take a picture and go inside, the coyote will think that maybe he is in charge and become less fearful. The goal is to make them feel unsafe and keep the fear of humans in them.
They are natural to our area and should not be trapped. Trapping will cause other coyotes to move in or out of stress will make babies. We must learn to live with them.
Residents with concerns or questions may call
Daniela Tabilo, Wildlife Assistance Biologist, South Region Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
(561) 882-5717
Ducks and other birds
Did you know...
...that feeding the ducks can be harmful to their health?. Many 'human' foods are actually harmful for the birds and ducks. These harmful foods include:
Bread, crackers, donuts, cereal, popcorn, and similar bread type products. They are not nutritional and can harm ducklings growth, pollute waterway, attract rodents and other pests, besides cause algae blooms that affect local wildlife. Mold bread can cause a deadly lung infection capable of wiping out an entire flock of ducks.
So please, do not feed the ducks -- it is for their health!
Alligators
We have recently posted additional signage around the lake to notify the community to be alert for alligators. Some residents have spotted two very small alligators (less than 1 foot in length) - so please remain aware of your surroundings near the lake.