Get your snake equipment ready. The 2023 Florida Python Challenge is set to start in early August. The challenge is an effort to reduce invasive python populations. This damaging species of snake has been wrecking the Florida ecosystem since the 1980s. The Python Challenge involves local hunters to help take part in the conservation of Florida’s everglade ecosystems.
The annual 10-day event will be from August 4 to 13, and is open to the public for participation. Upon completion of an online safety and training course, participants can enter to win prizes. The competition is open to both professional and novice participants.
“This year we’re going to have $30,000 worth of prizes,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto.
The event, which is hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), features an Ultimate Grand Prize of $10,000 sponsored by Inversa Leathers. There is also a prize of $7,500 for the Grand Prize Runner Up, sponsored by the Bergeron Everglades Foundation.
History of the challenge
Burmese pythons are an invasive species to the Everglades, as are iguanas and other exotic reptiles. People often buy them as pets and they can either escape or people release them into the Everglades. Here they cause problems for the native wildlife. However, the state department and Florida Fish and Wildlife Service are making an active effort to reduce python populations and restore the Everglades to its natural harmony.
The Florida Python Challenge was created in order to help reduce python populations and to involve Florida residents in the preservation of their state’s beautiful wildlife. Participants in the 2021 event removed 223 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades. This is more than double the number removed in 2020. Over 600 people from 25 states registered to take part in the 10-day competition in 2021.
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“The Florida Python Challenge provides an opportunity for people to actively participate in Everglades conservation by removing the Burmese python, an invasive species that is actively damaging our native wildlife populations,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Executive Director Eric Sutton. “We are grateful for the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, who continually demonstrates his commitment to combating invasive species which is a critical component of conserving our native species.”
