The Florida Python Challenge took place in August, with 857 participants from 33 states and Canada coming together to remove nearly 200 Burmese pythons from the Everglades in South Florida. The winner of the $10,000 grand prize was Ronald Kiger, who removed 20 pythons during the 10-day hunt. This annual competition aims to eradicate the invasive species from the ecosystem and raise awareness about the threat they pose to native wildlife. The removal of over 14,000 pythons since 2017 has had a positive impact on the Everglades and its wildlife, thanks to the collective effort of participants and organizations like the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
In addition to the grand prize winner, competitors in the Florida Python Challenge were recognized in three categories: novice, professional, and military. Donna Kalil won $2,500 for catching 19 pythons in the professional category, while novice Thomas Hobbs received the same prize for catching 16 pythons. Jeff Lince won $2,500 in the military category for catching five pythons. The competition also awarded prizes for the longest pythons caught, with Quentin Archie winning $1,000 for an 8-foot, 11-inch python and Antonio Ramos earning the same prize for a military category 9-foot, 7-inch python.
Participants in the challenge were tasked with humanely killing Burmese pythons and turning in the carcasses to check stations in South Florida. The incentive to hunters was not only in the form of prizes but served as an opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers Burmese pythons pose. They are not native to Florida and negatively impact the ecosystem by spreading diseases among native animals and having high mercury levels that are dangerous for human consumption. Females can lay 50 to 100 eggs at a time, further contributing to the growth of the non-native population in the area.
In addition to the Florida Python Challenge, residents can continue to control non-native species by removing and humanely killing pythons. This can be done on private land with permission from the landowner and on designated commission-managed lands in south Florida. Non-native fish and wildlife can be reported to the FWC’s Invasive Species Hotline, online, or through the IveGot1 smartphone app. The efforts to eradicate Burmese pythons from the Everglades are ongoing and require the collective participation of hunters, organizations, and residents to preserve the native wildlife in the region.
The success of the 2024 Florida Python Challenge was celebrated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which recognized the contributions of participants, staff, partners, and Governor Ron DeSantis. The removal of over 14,000 pythons since 2017 has had a direct positive impact on the Everglades and its native wildlife. With continued efforts to control non-native species, the ecosystem can be preserved and protected from the dangers posed by invasive species like Burmese pythons. The annual competition serves as a means to raise awareness about the threats these snakes pose and engage the community in the conservation and preservation of the Everglades.
