Florida – Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez has officially announced that registration for the 2024 Florida Python Challenge is now open. This exciting 10-day event invites participants from all skill levels to engage in the removal of invasive Burmese pythons from Florida’s natural habitats, offering more than $25,000 in prizes.
Combating Invasive Species Through Community Engagement
The 2024 Florida Python Challenge is set to run from August 9 to August 18 and is open to both professional and novice hunters. This challenge not only incentivizes participants through substantial prizes but also plays a crucial role in the conservation efforts to restore the Everglades and protect its native wildlife from the disruptive impact of Burmese pythons.
“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ unwavering dedication to Everglades restoration, Florida continues to make record investments in protecting the state’s unique natural resources for future generations, including the targeted removal of the invasive Burmese python,” stated Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. She expressed her excitement for the event, wishing participants a memorable and safe hunt and looking forward to congratulating this year’s winners.
Echoing her sentiments, Roger Young, Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, highlighted the event’s global recognition and its importance in engaging the public in conservation efforts. “Thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis and our partners with the South Florida Water Management District, FWC is once again hosting the world-famous Florida Python Challenge,” said Young.
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Adding to the support, Governing Board Member of the South Florida Water Management District, “Alligator Ron” Bergeron emphasized the collaborative efforts in protecting the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. “The Everglades is one of the natural wonders of the world, and the Python Challenge is another great way to get people directly involved in the protection of the Everglades. Long live the Everglades!”
The Python Challenge has shown significant results in the past, with the 2023 challenge resulting in the removal of 209 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades, contributing to a total of 917 pythons removed since the challenge’s inception. Over one thousand participants from 35 states and Belgium engaged in last year’s competition, showcasing its wide appeal and critical impact.
Participants can register for the competition, complete the required online training, and access additional resources about Burmese pythons and the Everglades ecosystem through the official Python Challenge website.
Prize Categories and Conservation Efforts
This year’s Python Challenge will include prizes awarded across professional, novice, and military categories, thanks to generous donations from sponsors such as the Bergeron Everglades Foundation, InversaLeathers, and Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands, each contributing to the conservation efforts in Florida.
Burmese pythons pose a significant threat to the local ecosystem, primarily found in the Everglades where they prey on mammals, birds, and other reptiles. Female pythons can lay between 50 to 100 eggs, exacerbating their invasive impact. Since 2000, the state has removed over 21,000 Burmese pythons, thanks to ongoing removal efforts on both public and private lands.
For more information on how to participate in the Python Challenge or learn about Burmese pythons, participants and the public are encouraged to visit MyFWC.com/Python.
