East Volusia News

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez announced today that registration for the 2024 Florida Python Challenge® is now open. Participants will have the opportunity to win a share of over $25,000 in prizes for removing invasive Burmese pythons from the wild. Interested individuals can complete the required online training starting today to compete in the 10-day event, which runs from August 9–18, 2024. The competition welcomes both professional and novice participants.

"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," said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. "I wish all participants a memorable and safe hunt, and I look forward to congratulating this year’s winners."

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Executive Director Roger Young stated, "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®. This event allows the public to get involved in protecting our native wildlife while competing to win thousands of dollars for their efforts removing Burmese pythons from our iconic Florida Everglades ecosystem, a place like nowhere else on Earth."

South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Member "Alligator Ron" Bergeron added, "The great partnership between the South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is critical as we continue to work together to protect the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, conserve native wildlife, and combat invasive pythons. We continue to expedite Everglades restoration efforts thanks to the support of Governor Ron DeSantis and Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, and we’ll continue doing everything we can to protect this important 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 its protection. Long live the Everglades!"

Registration details, online training requirements, optional training opportunities, information about Burmese pythons and resources for planning a trip to South Florida are available online.

In 2023, participants removed 209 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades during the challenge. To date, a total of 917 pythons have been removed through this initiative. Last year saw participation from 1,050 individuals across 35 states (and Belgium).

Beyond competition-specific removal opportunities on commission-managed lands available year-round, pythons can be humanely killed on private lands at any time with landowner permission without requiring a permit or hunting license. The FWC encourages such removals whenever possible.

Prizes will be awarded in professional, novice, and military categories courtesy of sponsors including Bergeron Everglades Foundation and InversaLeathers who each donated $10,000 along with Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands contributing $5,000.

Burmese pythons are an invasive species not native to Florida that negatively impact local wildlife primarily around South Florida's Everglades ecosystem where they prey on birds, mammals, and other reptiles. Since 2000 more than 21,000 Burmese pythons have been reported as removed by FWC.

For more information on Burmese pythons visit MyFWC.com/Python.

###