TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has crowned a winner in the state’s annual Python Challenge, a competition that tasks hunters with removing invasive Burmese pythons from south Florida.
This year’s Ultimate Grand Prize winner was Ronald Kiger, who removed 20 pythons from the Everglades during a 10-day period. He received a $10,000 prize.
The runner up, Donna Kalil, earned $2,500 for catching 19 pythons. Other cash prizes were awarded to hunters in other categories based on skill level, catches and python size, the Associated Press reported.
In total, 857 participants from 33 states and Canada came together to support Everglades conservation through the competition. They collectively removed 195 of the invasive snakes, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
“The success of the 2024 Florida Python Challenge was a collective achievement, made possible by the contributions of more than 800 participants, the dedicated efforts of our staff, the invaluable support from our partners and the dedicated leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis,” FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said in a statement. “Over 14,000 pythons have been successfully removed by FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors since 2017. This collective effort continues to have a direct positive impact on the Everglades and our native wildlife through removal and awareness.”
The longest python removed measured at 9 feet, 11 inches. It was captured by a hunter in the novice category. The longest python removed by a professional was 8 feet, 11 inches.
The annual competition raises awareness of the invasive species and its impact in and around the Everglades. A female Burmese python can lay 50 to 100 eggs at a time, and with few natural predators, the population is free to prey on native birds, mammals and other reptiles.
Floridians don’t have to wait until next year’s competition to start removing pythons. According to FWC, pythons can be removed or humanely killed by hunters contracted with the FWC at any time on private lands, with landowner permission, and on 32 FWC-managed lands throughout south Florida.
