MIAMI (AP) — Greater than 230 pythons had been faraway from the Florida Everglades as a part of an annual competitors to get rid of the invasive species from the South Florida wetlands protect.
Florida wildlife officers mentioned Thursday that 1,000 hunters from 32 states and as distant as Canada and Latvia eliminated 231 Burmese pythons throughout the 10-day competitors often known as the Florida Python Problem.
Matthew Concepcion received the $10,000 high prize for eradicating 28 Burmese pythons. One other hunter, Dustin Crum, received a $1,500 prize for eradicating the longest python, a snake that measured over 11 toes (3.3 meters).
Pythons turned invasive in Florida after they had been introduced into the state as pets after which deserted within the wild by their homeowners, wildlife officers say. Since 2000, greater than 17,000 wild Burmese pythons have been faraway from Florida, the place they’re a damaging presence for native species, in keeping with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee.
“Each one of many pythons eliminated as a part of the Problem is one much less preying on our native birds, mammals and reptiles,” mentioned Rodney Barreto, the fee’s chairman.
Matthew Concepcion received the $10,000 high prize for eradicating 28 Burmese pythons. One other hunter, Dustin Crum, received a $1,500 prize for eradicating the longest python, a snake that measured over 11 toes (3.3 meters).
Pythons turned invasive in Florida after they had been introduced into the state as pets after which deserted within the wild by their homeowners, wildlife officers say. Since 2000, greater than 17,000 wild Burmese pythons have been faraway from Florida, the place they’re a damaging presence for native species, in keeping with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee.
“Each one of many pythons eliminated as a part of the Problem is one much less preying on our native birds, mammals and reptiles,” mentioned Rodney Barreto, the fee’s chairman.