SFWMD to Facebook Live Weigh-In of 50th Python Eliminated

If you're interested in the progress of the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board's Python Elimination Program, you'll have the chance to see the official weigh-in of the 50th Burmese Python eliminated in real time.

SFWMD will broadcast the weigh-in of the 50th snake on Facebook Live through the District's new Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sfwmd at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 25. The weigh-in "event" is actually taking place at the SFWMD Homestead Field Station located at 2195 NE 8th St., Homestead 33033.

Python Hunter Dustin Crum of Myakka City captured a 14-foot python for the 50th snake eliminated. Hunter Patrick Campbell of St. Johns County holds the record for the largest snake caught through the Python Elimination Program at 15 feet 10 inches. Hunter Michael Valcare of Miami has captured the most snakes so far, eight, netting $1,375 in bounties. Jamison Meyer of Cutler Bay has captured seven snakes and pocketed $1,200 in bounties.

The pilot program began March 25 and will run until June 1. SFWMD chose 25 professional python hunters from more than 1,000 who applied. These independent contractors are paid $8.10 per hour up to eight hours daily. Depending on the size of the snake presented, there is an additional on-the-spot cash payment of $50 for pythons measuring up to 4 feet and an extra $25 for each foot measured above 4 feet. An additional $100 is given for each eliminated python nest with eggs.

View SFWMD's Facebook page here.

View a gallery of videos of the Python Elimination Program hunts here.
 
Learn more about SFWMD's Python Elimination Program here.