The CI Department of Environment (DoE) has launched a 14-month program to cull invasive Green Iguanas. The deadline to register for the cull was Friday, 19 October 2018 and the actual cull began on Monday, 29 October. Only those with DoE registration cards can receive payment for the iguanas they cull. Full details about the DoE’s program can be found on the DoE website and questions can be sent via email to doe@gov.ky. Residents may also call 949-8469 for more information.
GUIDANCE AND INFORMATION REGARDING THE USE OF AIR RIFLES FOR THE CULL
The following is guidance and information for those who registered with the DoE Green Iguana Cull Project and are seeking a special license to use air rifles during the cull.
1) Registration with the DoE as a Green Iguana culler does NOT give you permission to operate an air rifle for the cull. You MUST have or obtain a firearms license to operate an air rifle in the Cayman Islands. DoE registration only allows cullers to deliver slain Green Iguanas to the landfill and to be paid for their work.
2) Meeting the objectives of the iguana cull project requires an exemption to Section 18(1)(c) of the Firearms Law (2008 Revision) which prescribes the use of a firearm within 40 yards of a public road or public place. On 23 October, Cabinet allowed an exemption to Section 18(1)(c) allowing the RCIPS to issue restricted licenses to cullers registered with the DoE Green Iguana Cull Project. These restricted licenses will allow cullers to discharge air rifles within 40 yards of a public road or public space for the purposes of culling green iguana for the length of the Project only.
3) This restricted license for the iguana cull will only be granted for air rifles of .22 and .25 calibre.
4) Registered cullers who already possess firearms licences and cull iguana on their own property will not need this restricted license unless they plan to cull within 40 yards of a public road.
5) Therefore, there are three groups of individuals applying for firearms licenses (for air rifles) in connection with the Green Iguana Cull Project:
All three of these groups must complete an Firearm Application Form A in order to obtain the restricted license to cull Green Iguanas using an air rifle within 40 yards of a public road. Applicants should indicate clearly on the application that they are registered cullers seeking the license for the express purpose of culling green iguana.
6) Those who have never had a firearms license will need to undergo the complete firearm application process, which includes a background check, safety check of firearms safes, and competency testing.
7) The timeframe for review of all applications for restricted licenses is about two weeks.
8) All three groups of applicants need to present proof of their DoE registration for the Green Iguana Cull Project when applying in order to be issued a restricted license. This can be done by displaying the culler card issued by the DoE.
7) Those who seek to purchase an air rifle off-island for the purposes of the cull would need to complete Form B before applying for a restricted license. Once the air rifle is received and on island, they may then apply for the restricted license.
8) Those who will be using an air rifle on island that is being transferred to them must first have the transfer from the owner completed through the Security and Firearms Licensing Unit and then apply for the restricted license.
All questions pertaining to firearms licences for the Green Iguana Cull Project can be directed to the RCIPS Security and Firearms Licensing Unit at 945-4924. Relevant forms can be found here. Firearms applications are available for download only, and completed forms must be delivered in-person at the Security and Firearms Office at the RCIPS Business Centre on Walkers Road.