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FLORIDA - Florida wildlife officials report that this year’s Florida Python Challenge resulted in a record 294 Burmese pythons being removed from the state’s natural areas.
The 10-day event, held from July 11 to July 20, included eight official locations, such as Everglades National Park, and drew 934 participants from 30 states and Canada.
Taylor Stanberry of Naples, who describes herself on social media as a “venomous keeper” and “venomous relocator,” won the $10,000 grand prize by allegedly capturing 60 pythons.
Other prize money, totaling roughly $15,000, was distributed among winners in novice, professional, and military categories.
Donna Kalil, who captured 19 pythons in last year’s professional division, allegedly removed 56 this year.
Krista Hoekstra led the novice category with 14 pythons, while John Southworth topped the military division with five.
The competition also produced record-sized captures.
Michael Marousky, a novice competitor, allegedly removed the longest python at 15 feet, 11 inches.
Jonathan Miller caught the longest military python at 11 feet, 2 inches, and professional competitor Kennith Chamberland caught the longest professional python at 9 feet, 8 inches.
Burmese pythons are a major invasive species in Florida, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has implemented programs to remove them, mainly through humane elimination.
Since 2000, over 23,500 pythons have been removed from the state, with removal efforts accelerating after the paid Florida Python Challenge launched in 2017.
FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said that the combined efforts of contractors and participants have been key to protecting Florida’s native wildlife from the threat of Burmese pythons.