Latest news with #ConservancyofSouthwestFlorida
Hans India
9 hours ago
- Science
- Hans India
Florida removes over 1,000 Burmese pythons in Everglades conservation drive
Florida's war against the invasive Burmese python has reached a new milestone: more than 1,000 snakes have been captured and humanely euthanized since 2013 by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Weighing nearly 20 tons in total, these removals are part of a broader initiative to protect the Everglades from ecological collapse. Originally introduced through the exotic pet trade in the 1970s, Burmese pythons—native to Southeast Asia—have since exploded in population. They now prey on over 85 native species including birds, mammals, and reptiles, threatening biodiversity across South Florida. Record Breeding Season and New Strategies The most recent breeding season, between November and April, saw over 6,300 pounds of python removed from a 200-square-mile area. Some snakes weighed over 215 pounds and measured nearly 18 feet in length. Many females were euthanized before laying eggs—preventing the potential birth of 20,000 more snakes. One innovative method involves tracking 'scout snakes'—radio-tagged males released during mating season. These scouts lead researchers to hidden nests of breeding females, dramatically improving capture efficiency. Signs of Progress, But Challenges Remain While sightings continue to spread northward, even reaching Lake Okeechobee, some encouraging signs suggest python numbers may be stabilizing. Scout snakes are now locating fewer and smaller females, hinting at population stress. In rare instances, native predators like bobcats and the endangered eastern indigo snake have been seen preying on young pythons—a positive sign of nature beginning to fight back. A Collaborative Conservation Mission This massive removal project is a joint effort involving the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, U.S. Geological Survey, University of Florida, National Park Service, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. While total eradication remains unlikely, the shared goal is long-term population control—to give native species a fighting chance in one of Earth's most fragile and extraordinary ecosystems.
Economic Times
a day ago
- Science
- Economic Times
Conservancy of Southwest Florida sets record with over 6,300 pounds of Burmese Pythons removed in landmark season
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has removed a record 6,300 pounds of Burmese pythons this season, bringing their total to over 40,000 pounds since 2013. Using radio telemetry and "scout snakes," they target breeding females, preventing an estimated 20,000 eggs from hatching. This effort aims to protect native wildlife from the devastating impact of this invasive apex predator. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has announced a record-breaking season in its ongoing battle against the invasive Burmese python, capturing and removing 6,300 pounds of snakes from a 200-square-mile area stretching from Naples through the Western Everglades. This latest haul pushes the organization's total to over 20 tons—more than 40,000 pounds—of Burmese pythons removed since the program's inception in biologist and Science Project Manager Ian Bartoszek, who leads the Conservancy's python program, highlighted the significance of this milestone: 'Removing more than 40,000 pounds of snake, carried out through some of Florida's unrelenting wildlife habitats, is a heavy-lifting assignment. But, through years of dedicated research, we've developed science-based methods to track this apex predator more effectively and mitigate its damage to our native wildlife population .'The Conservancy's innovative approach used radio telemetry and tagged male 'scout snakes' to locate reproductive females, particularly during the November-to-April breeding season. This targeted strategy has prevented an estimated 20,000 python eggs from hatching since 2013, a critical step in curbing the species' explosive population pythons, which can reach lengths over 18 feet and weights exceeding 200 pounds, have devastated native wildlife in South Florida, preying on more than 85 species including deer, bobcats, rabbits, and birds. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) classifies the python as a prohibited species, noting its established range from just south of Lake Okeechobee to Key Largo and Collier Moher, President and CEO of the Conservancy, emphasized the broader impact: 'The python team's work of reducing the local population of the invasive snake allows our native wildlife safer conditions to recover.' The Conservancy also collaborates with organizations like the USGS, University of Florida , and South Florida Water Management District, and relies on private philanthropy and grants for the annual Florida Python Challenge approaching (July 11–20), the state continues to encourage public participation in python removal efforts, offering year-round opportunities to help protect Florida's unique ecosystem.
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Conservancy of Southwest Florida sets record with over 6,300 pounds of Burmese Pythons removed in landmark season
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has announced a record-breaking season in its ongoing battle against the invasive Burmese python, capturing and removing 6,300 pounds of snakes from a 200-square-mile area stretching from Naples through the Western Everglades. This latest haul pushes the organization's total to over 20 tons—more than 40,000 pounds—of Burmese pythons removed since the program's inception in 2013. Wildlife biologist and Science Project Manager Ian Bartoszek, who leads the Conservancy's python program, highlighted the significance of this milestone: 'Removing more than 40,000 pounds of snake, carried out through some of Florida's unrelenting wildlife habitats, is a heavy-lifting assignment. But, through years of dedicated research, we've developed science-based methods to track this apex predator more effectively and mitigate its damage to our native wildlife population .' The Conservancy's innovative approach used radio telemetry and tagged male 'scout snakes' to locate reproductive females, particularly during the November-to-April breeding season. This targeted strategy has prevented an estimated 20,000 python eggs from hatching since 2013, a critical step in curbing the species' explosive population growth. Live Events Burmese pythons, which can reach lengths over 18 feet and weights exceeding 200 pounds, have devastated native wildlife in South Florida, preying on more than 85 species including deer, bobcats, rabbits, and birds. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) classifies the python as a prohibited species, noting its established range from just south of Lake Okeechobee to Key Largo and Collier County. Rob Moher, President and CEO of the Conservancy, emphasized the broader impact: 'The python team's work of reducing the local population of the invasive snake allows our native wildlife safer conditions to recover.' The Conservancy also collaborates with organizations like the USGS, University of Florida , and South Florida Water Management District, and relies on private philanthropy and grants for funding. With the annual Florida Python Challenge approaching (July 11–20), the state continues to encourage public participation in python removal efforts, offering year-round opportunities to help protect Florida's unique ecosystem.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Battle against invasive pythons enjoys record season, and a milestone
The battle against the invasive Burmese python by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida reached a milestone after a record removal season. The removal season coincides with the breeding season of the python from November through April, with the Conservancy staff tracking 40 pythons, known as scout snakes that help in locating reproductive pythons. There was a record 6,300 pounds of the invasive snake removed this season, bringing the total to a hefty milestone of more than 20 tons of Burmese pythons removed from a 200-square-mile area in Southwest Florida since 2013, the Conservancy announced. 'We have been on the front line of the invasive python battle for more than a decade,' said Ian Bartoszek, wildlife biologist and Conservancy Science Project Manager, who oversees the python program. 'Removing more than 40,000 pounds of snake, carried out through some of Florida's unrelenting wildlife habitats, is a heavy-lifting assignment. But, through years of dedicated research, we've developed science-based methods to track this apex predator more effectively and mitigate its damage to our native wildlife population.' The Conservancy uses radio telemetry to track the tagged male pythons across a 200-square-mile area of public and private land from Naples through the Western Everglades. Since 2013, the team has stopped an additional 20,000 python eggs from hatching. The program is expected to expand into new areas, as the long-term monitoring has shown signs of positive effectiveness, as scout snakes are increasingly struggling to locate mates, or when they do, they are smaller in size. 'The Burmese python is decimating native wildlife across their invaded range,' said Rob Moher, President and CEO of the CSF. 'Here at the Conservancy, we also rehabilitate thousands of injured native animals in the von Arx Wildlife Hospital and release them back into the wild each year. The python team's work of reducing the local population of the invasive snake allows our native wildlife safer conditions to recover.' Also on FTW Outdoors: Texas fisherman catches record bass, releases it 3 months later The Conservancy's python program is one of the leading research and removal initiatives globally. It is credited with capturing the largest female python ever documented to date; it measured 18 feet and weighed 215 pounds. It also captured the largest male python on record at 16 feet and 140 pounds. 'Burmese pythons are impressive creatures that are here from no fault of their own,' Bartoszek said. 'As wildlife biologists, we have tremendous respect for all snake species. However, we understand the impact invasive pythons are having on the biodiversity in our area, and we humanely remove them from the ecosystem as part of the Conservancy's commitment to protecting our water, land, wildlife, and future.' This article originally appeared on For The Win: Battle against invasive pythons enjoys record season, and a milestone
USA Today
a day ago
- Science
- USA Today
Battle against invasive pythons enjoys record season, and a milestone
Battle against invasive pythons enjoys record season, and a milestone The battle against the invasive Burmese python by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida reached a milestone after a record removal season. The removal season coincides with the breeding season of the python from November through April, with the Conservancy staff tracking 40 pythons, known as scout snakes that help in locating reproductive pythons. There was a record 6,300 pounds of the invasive snake removed this season, bringing the total to a hefty milestone of more than 20 tons of Burmese pythons removed from a 200-square-mile area in Southwest Florida since 2013, the Conservancy announced. 'We have been on the front line of the invasive python battle for more than a decade,' said Ian Bartoszek, wildlife biologist and Conservancy Science Project Manager, who oversees the python program. 'Removing more than 40,000 pounds of snake, carried out through some of Florida's unrelenting wildlife habitats, is a heavy-lifting assignment. But, through years of dedicated research, we've developed science-based methods to track this apex predator more effectively and mitigate its damage to our native wildlife population.' The Conservancy uses radio telemetry to track the tagged male pythons across a 200-square-mile area of public and private land from Naples through the Western Everglades. Since 2013, the team has stopped an additional 20,000 python eggs from hatching. The program is expected to expand into new areas, as the long-term monitoring has shown signs of positive effectiveness, as scout snakes are increasingly struggling to locate mates, or when they do, they are smaller in size. 'The Burmese python is decimating native wildlife across their invaded range,' said Rob Moher, President and CEO of the CSF. 'Here at the Conservancy, we also rehabilitate thousands of injured native animals in the von Arx Wildlife Hospital and release them back into the wild each year. The python team's work of reducing the local population of the invasive snake allows our native wildlife safer conditions to recover.' Also on FTW Outdoors: Texas fisherman catches record bass, releases it 3 months later The Conservancy's python program is one of the leading research and removal initiatives globally. It is credited with capturing the largest female python ever documented to date; it measured 18 feet and weighed 215 pounds. It also captured the largest male python on record at 16 feet and 140 pounds. 'Burmese pythons are impressive creatures that are here from no fault of their own,' Bartoszek said. 'As wildlife biologists, we have tremendous respect for all snake species. However, we understand the impact invasive pythons are having on the biodiversity in our area, and we humanely remove them from the ecosystem as part of the Conservancy's commitment to protecting our water, land, wildlife, and future.'
