The Python Challenge™ is back. Trademarked this time. "Building on the success of its 2013 Python Challenge™," the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida Inc. (Foundation) announced Tuesday additional details of the 2016 Python Challenge™.
The Challenge is a conservation effort that includes public outreach on invasive species and a month-long competition to remove Burmese pythons from public lands in Florida.
Researchers say the snakes, which aren't native to Florida, are eating wildlife at an alarming rate and don't have natural predators in the state.
Some have said the 2013 event wasn't a success at all, that it was a bust and a waste, and should never be repeated.
In 2013 the state-sponsored Python Challenge attracted roughly 1,600 hunters in January and February and made headlines worldwide. In all that time, among a population of an estimated 200,000-plus snakes, hunters netted only 68 of the creatures, the longest measuring more than 14 feet.
But FWC officials are sure they can improve on those numbers.
Besides, almost as important as the kill is the publicity the pythons get worldwide as a dangerous, invasive predator in the Florida Everglades -- in fact, throughout rural South Florida.
By skipping the last two years, the state was able to beef up its established programs that train licensed hunters and people who regularly work in areas known to contain pythons to kill or report exotic snakes.
“We’re launching the 2016 Python Challenge™ because Burmese pythons continue to be a significant issue in the Everglades,” said FWC Commissioner Ron Bergeron. “We hope these efforts will increase sightings and removal of pythons over the long-term in this valuable ecosystem.”
The Challenge will take place in a larger geographic area than the 2013 hunt. The FWC says it is working in coordination with several state and federal land management agencies, including Everglades National Park, to provide access to additional public land areas during the competition.
According to Everglades National Park Superintendent Pedro Ramos, “We look forward to expanding access into the park and to providing more opportunities for members of the public to become approved as authorized python agents. I hope that our increased participation this year will engage the public and highlight the scientific work that is being done to care for our public lands.”
The dates of the python removal competition in south Florida are set for Jan. 16 to Feb. 14, 2016. Participants will be able to sign up as an individual competitor or as part of a team of up to five people.
The aim of the 2016 Python Challenge™ is to promote Everglades conservation through invasive species removal, and the FWC and the Foundation are also increasing opportunities for the public to receive training so they can help. Training events will teach participants how to identify, report and then safely and humanely capture Burmese pythons.
“The Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida is proud to partner with the FWC and Everglades National Park on this exciting conservation program,” Foundation Chairman Rodney Barreto said in a prepared statement. “If you are interested in learning more or want to help promote or sponsor the 2016 Python Challenge™, we encourage you to visit the Python Challenge website.”
Details about upcoming training events, competition rules, registration, prizes and events will be posted at PythonChallenge.org as they are finalized.
To report non-native fish and wildlife, call the FWC’s Invasive Species Hotline at 888-IVE-GOT1 (888-483-4681), report your sighting online at IveGot1.org or download the IveGot1 smartphone app.
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith
