South Florida Water Management District's new Python Elimination Program rewards catches

Yahoo

19-06-2025

Florida's python population has been an issue for decades.
To help in the effort to reduce the population of the invasive snake, the South Florida Water Management District implemented the Python Elimination Program this year, which includes a monetary incentive to encourage contractors to catch invasive Burmese pythons.
The Python Elimination Program for contractors who work for the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to catch the most pythons over the span of a month from the Everglades and its surrounding areas. The contractor who catches the most pythons, is featured on the District's Facebook page and awarded a $1,000 bonus, on top of their hourly rate.
"It was [Peter Antonacci's, former District executive director] idea to put spirited individuals from the public, to give them access to our lands and to pay them for every Python removed," Mike Kirkland, Python Elimination Program manager said. "It was me and my team that kind of took what really was bit of a wild idea and turned it into the viable program that it is today."
Since the start of the program in January, there has been four different winners over five months. Kyle Perry caught the most pythons in January and March for a combined 40 pythons. Kevin Pavlidis, Andre Brown and Donna Kalil were the February, April and May winners with 18, eight and 16 pythons captured respectively.
The Python Elimination Program is accepting applications for new python removal agents. While it is a very competitive application process, the program is not open to the general public. Those who apply need to have "demonstrable history" catching pythons.
"We get 100 new applications every single week from all over the world," Kirkland said. "We have a low turnover rate, and so we hire contractors based on relevant qualifying experience, just like you would have with any job."
Invasive pythons were introduced into Florida through pet trades. They moved into the environment when owners released them into the Everglades. These reptiles moved to the top of the food chain by feasting on native prey, which has lessened the food supply for numerous native predators.
Pythons also present many pathogens that can infect natives animals.
For a more in-depth description, you can go to South Florida Water Management District website.
A bounty program to catch invasive species has been considered by the SWFWD before, but never came into fruition because of what is known as the Cobra Effect.
"Back during the colonial occupation of India by Britain in the 1800s the British soldiers were complaining about all the native cobras around," Kirkland said. "They paid locals to remove these Cobras. And the locals were smart, and they had done such a good job of it that they realized quickly they basically worked themselves out of a job, and so they began intentionally reseeding the environment (with cobras)."
To prevent a reseeding problem for the Python Elimination Program, Kirkland and his team put several initiatives into place.
All hunters are tracked in real time. (Tracked through smartphones)
Hunters need to stay in touch with Kirkland or a member of his team 24/7.
Hunters must send in a photo of their catch.
All contractors must be heavily vetted and pass a three-tier background system.
If you stumble upon a python in the wild, there are two options. Catch it or call.
"If they are comfortable removing it, then you know, if they think that they can safely and humanely remove it, then by all means, do so," Kirkland said. "The public is encouraged to humanely remove pythons."
Hesitant? You can call in professionals to remove the snake from your property.
Phone: 1-888-IVE-GOT1
Website: IveGot1.org
Mobile App: IveGot1 app
Although most people cannot participate in the SFWMD Python Elimination Program, you can still get involved in the 2025 Python Challenge from July 11 to 20. The Python Challenge is conducted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the SFWMD.
Last year, 195 invasive Burmese pythons were removed by 857 participants from 33 states and Canada. Ronald Kiger took home the Ultimate Grand Prize by removing 20 pythons during the challenge.
If you are interested in participating in the challenge this year, you can go to Florida Python Challenge website and sign up.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: South Florida Water Management District rewards python catches