In August, the Everglades in South Florida saw a substantial effort aimed at controlling the invasive Burmese python population, resulting in the removal of nearly 200 of these large snakes. This initiative formed part of the annual Florida Python Challenge, an organized competition designed not only to eradicate this harmful species but also to raise awareness about the significant threat they present to the local ecosystem. The competition in 2024 attracted a remarkable 857 participants hailing from 33 states and Canada, collectively capturing a total of 195 Burmese pythons during the ten-day event.
Ronald Kiger emerged as the grand prize winner of this year’s challenge, successfully removing 20 pythons from the Everglades, for which he received a prize of $10,000. Kiger, who was the runner-up in last year’s competition, demonstrated his dedication to the cause by returning for another attempt. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced Kiger as the winner in a ceremony held in Duck Key. According to Rodney Barreto, the chairman of the FWC, the collective efforts of over 800 participants, along with invaluable support from various partners and the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, made this success possible. Since 2017, a total of over 14,000 pythons have been effectively removed from the region, showcasing the ongoing commitment to safeguarding the Everglades and its native wildlife.
Although Kiger was the standout competitor, prizes were also allocated to participants across three different categories: novice, professional, and military. In the professional category, Donna Kalil was just one python short of tying with Kiger, capturing 19 pythons and securing $2,500 for her efforts. Representing the same category, Marcos Rodriguez caught 16 pythons, earning $1,500, while Quentin Archie distinguished himself by catching the longest python in the competition, measuring 8 feet and 11 inches, thus winning $1,000. A noteworthy mention is Dennis Krum, who extracted the longest python overall, measuring 9 feet and 11 inches, and also received a $1,000 reward in the novice category.
In the novice group, Thomas Hobbs claimed $2,500 for capturing 16 Burmese pythons, demonstrating the widespread engagement in this conservation initiative. Meanwhile, Jeff Lince topped the military category by catching five pythons, also taking home $2,500. Antonio Ramos earned an additional $1,000 for capturing the longest military python, which measured 9 feet and 7 inches. The various prize categories effectively encouraged participation from a broad spectrum of individuals, which is crucial for raising public awareness and involvement in the effort to control Burmese pythons in Florida.
During the challenge, the hunters were directed to humanely kill the pythons and submit their carcasses at one of three designated check stations across South Florida. Beyond the financial incentives, the challenge served a vital role in educating the public about the dangers posed by Burmese pythons, which can carry diseases that threaten native wildlife and have elevated mercury levels that pose risks to human health. The Burmese python is not native to Florida, and its proliferation has adverse effects on local wildlife; a single female can lay between 50 and 100 eggs, significantly amplifying the problem.
In addition to events like the Florida Python Challenge, the FWC encourages residents to take proactive measures against non-native species by removing and humanely disposing of pythons. This can be accomplished on private land with the landowner’s permission and on some commission-managed lands within South Florida. Residents are also urged to report non-native wildlife to the FWC’s Invasive Species Hotline at 1-888-483-4681, visit the website at IveGot1.org, or download the IveGot1 smartphone application.
This collaborative effort represents a microcosm of the larger fight against invasive species in Florida and emphasizes the importance of community involvement and awareness in ecological conservation. The overarching goal remains clear: to protect Florida’s unique ecosystems for future generations while combating the presence of invasive species like the Burmese python.