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Florida Python Bounty Program Nets 87 Burmese Pythons in July

Cash bounties coupled with emerging detection technology have driven a surge in Burmese python captures

Nearly 300 Burmese pythons were removed during a record-setting Florida Python Challenge this year, state wildlife officials said.
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DAVIE, FL - JANUARY 12: A Burmese python is held by Jeff Fobb as he speaks to the media at the registration event and press conference for the start of the 2013 Python Challenge on January 12, 2013 in Davie, Florida.The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and its partners launched the month long 2013 Python Challenge to harvest Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades, a species that is not native to Florida.The contest features prizes of $1,000 for catching the longest snake and $1,500 for catching the most. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Aaron Mann led these efforts by capturing 87 pythons in July and claiming the Python Elimination Program’s $1,000 monthly award.
  • The annual Florida Python Challenge recorded 294 snakes removed over 10 days, with Taylor Stanberry earning the $10,000 grand prize by capturing 60 pythons.
  • The SFWMD program pairs its monthly award with payments of about $50 per snake and $25 per foot on larger specimens while testing robot 'rabbits' to detect python presence.
  • Conservation teams have used radio-telemetry to locate nesting sites and disrupt multiple python egg clutches this summer.
  • More than 23,500 pythons have been removed from Florida’s natural areas since 2000, yet experts still lack reliable estimates of the species’ overall population.