Latest news with #RonaldKiger
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
How many pythons could you catch in ten days?
ALL AROUND the world conservationists are killing animals. To preserve red squirrels in Britain an army of volunteers shoot grey ones with air rifles. In the Caribbean fishermen are encouraged to catch and eat the lionfish that are destroying the coral reefs, despite their venomous barbs. Western Australia's government has set up 'felixer grooming traps' that spray feral cats with toxic gels that they instinctively lick off. In the Florida Everglades, the Burmese python is the ecosystem's enemy. Initially introduced to the Sunshine State as exotic pets, the snakes grew too big to be good housemates and were released (or escaped) into the state park. There they feasted on native wildlife and bred rapidly. Today pythons are responsible for a 95% drop in the number of furry animals in the Everglades. No local species is immune: the snakes, which can grow up to nearly 20 feet long, are known to strangle alligators and swallow them whole. Without a natural predator to speak of, the Florida man has stepped in. For ten days in July the state hosts the Python ChallengeTM, an annual open competition aimed at culling snakes. This year over 900 people descended on the swamps, battling to take home $25,000 in prize money. Most were Floridians; many were military men. The pursuit takes place in the dead of night when the snakes leave their nests to forage. Hopeful hunters sit atop slow-moving pickup trucks and shine flashlights into the grasses to scan for slithers. When they spot a snake they wrestle it with their bare hands. At the end of the night the snakes are killed, their brains scrambled with a metal rod to ensure they don't regain consciousness. 'It's like war: hours of sheer boredom punctuated by seconds of exhilaration,' says an ex-marine training to do it professionally. Ronald Kiger, a bearded chap from central Florida, clinched the grand prize last year with a bounty of 20 pythons. The longest snake, caught by another amateur, was nearly ten feet. This year's winners have yet to be announced. The challenge does not represent a 'bloodlust for pythons', says Michael Kirkland who works for the state. It is instead a publicity stunt for Florida's conservation project. The python elimination programme, managed jointly by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the South Florida Water Management District, employs 100 year-round contractors. Since 2017 they have removed 16,000 snakes from the Everglades. Contractors are paid $50 for the first four feet of a snake and $25 for every foot after that. Some choose to sell the carcasses to companies that make the skins into handbags and the vertebrae into jewelry. (They are working on making the meat into dog food.) Dusty Crum, a self-described 'python wild-man', sells python-fat soap out of his pizza parlour on the edge of the park. For many of the hunters the job is about far more than money. Kristine Bartish, a biologist employed by the state who hunts pythons five nights a week, says the mission itself becomes addictive: going out to remove snakes for a good cause is 'like an Easter egg hunt for adults'.
Miami Herald
11-07-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
A $10,000 prize awaits the hunter that catches the most pythons in Florida
Ronald Kiger spent 10 days in one of the most inhospitable areas of South Florida last summer, searching for a massive predator among dense bushes, mangroves, and flooded areas. During that time, he endured the blistering temperatures and swarm of insects. His stay in the Everglades swamps paid off: he managed to capture 20 giant Burmese pythons, considered an invasive species, and took home the grand prize of $10,000 awarded each year during the 'Florida Python Challenge.' When he received the award in 2024, he thanked his family for joining him on the adventure: 'Thanks for putting up with the heat and the bugs. We enjoyed getting out and helping the state.' Hundreds of hunters, both professional and amateur, will attempt to repeat this feat from July 11-20, in an event that combines extreme adventure and the fight against a silent threat in the Everglades: the pythons that are devouring the native fauna of this fragile ecosystem. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) told el Nuevo Herald that registration will be open until the last day of the contest. 'The 2024 Florida Python Challenge resulted in the removal of 195 Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem. Last year, 857 people from 33 states and Canada participated in the effort to eliminate invasive constrictors,' he said. Because registration remains open throughout the event, the FWC will not release the final number of participants or countries represented until the event closes on July 20. 'Every python removed helps protect the Everglades and our native wildlife. The annual contest raises awareness about invasive species in Florida, how individuals can help, and encourages the public to become directly involved in Everglades conservation by removing invasive species,' the FWC said. The Florida Python Challenge 2025 will award $25,000 in prizes, with the top prize being $10,000. The competition is being organized in conjunction with the South Florida Water Management District, and interested parties can register at Aggressive predators Since 2000, more than 23,000 Burmese pythons have been removed from Florida's natural habitat. Pythons are aggressive predators that affect native birds, mammals, and reptiles, disrupting the food chain. A single female can lay more than 100 eggs at a time, which accelerates their spread. The event offers a $10,000 Grand Prize for the registered participant who removes the most pitons. The categories are professional, beginner, and military. 'An exciting new feature this year is the inclusion of Everglades National Park as one of the eight official Florida Python Challenge venues,' the FWC reported. In addition to the event, pythons can be killed on 32 public lands year-round or on private lands with the landowner's permission, without a hunting license. The competition is one of the methods implemented to locate and remove these giant snakes that have invaded the Everglades swamps and that, according to scientists, represent a long-term challenge. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) warned in 2023 that eradication of Burmese pythons 'is probably impossible' and the problem of invasion of this species represents 'one of the most difficult' to solve in the world. Giant pythons are responsible for an 85 to 100 percent decline in the population of some South Florida swamp mammals, including raccoons, opossums, bobcats, rabbits, gray foxes, and white-tailed deer, according to the USGS. Burmese pythons were found in the Everglades swamps in 1979 in Miami-Dade County. They are believed to have been released or escaped from private homes. A breeding population was confirmed in the early 2000s, and they were recognized as an established invasive species. They are currently found in Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe counties, and along the southwest coast of Florida.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Florida Python Challenge 2025: When is it, where is it, prize money. What to know
Good luck finding pythons, the invasive species that has been slithering around the Everglades for years and destroying the ecosystem. But just because pythons are difficult to find doesn't stop hunters from looking for them with hopes of putting a small dent in the population. The annual Florida Python Challenge is a big part of the effort to combat these unwelcome snakes. On May 15, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the South Florida Water Management District announced the dates for the 2025 Challenge. Here are six things to know about the Florida Python Challenge: It begins at 12:01 a.m. on July 11, 2025 and it ends at 5 p.m. on July 20, 2025. This is earlier than in the past when the Challenge has been held in August. Registration is now open. Participants will remove pythons from seven commission-managed lands in South Florida. New this year: Everglades National Park has been added as an eighth competition location. For the 2024 Challenge there was $25,000 in prizes up for grabs. According to the FWC, the top prize of $10,000 goes to the person who catches the most pythons. Ronald Kiger won the grand prize in 2024. Kiger removed a total of 20 pythons. The Florida Python Challenge is a 10-day competition created by FWC to encourage participants to remove pythons large, nonvenomous constrictor snakes that are an invasive species in Florida. Burmese pythons were introduced to Florida via the pet trade and are now well established in the Everglades, where the snake represents a threat to the ecosystem. The competition also serves as a conservation effort to raise awareness about the python's impacts on local ecology and to encourage the public to continuously remove the snake from the wild. Along with the FWC the Challenge is supported by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and Gov. Ron DeSantis. A total of 195 pythons were removed, which was 14 fewer than 2023. There were also fewer participants last year compared to 2023. There were 857 competitors, including two from Canada, who participated in the 2024 Challenge. More than 1,000 participated in 2023. Python carcasses must be kept chilled or frozen, then turned into the nearest Florida Python Challenge check station within 24 hours of capture. Participants must carry a printed or digital copy of their Florida Python Challenge registration notification email while hunting. Participants must complete required online training and receive a unique completion code. Only Burmese pythons removed from competition locations are valid entries. The use of firearms is prohibited during the competition. The use of dogs or other animals to search, capture, or kill is prohibited. Air guns and captive bolts are allowed. 'The Python Challenge is a great way to get people directly involved in the protection and stewardship of the Everglades,' said South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Member 'Alligator Ron' Bergeron. 'We continue to advance Everglades restoration efforts thanks to the support of Governor Ron DeSantis, and we'll keep doing everything we can to protect this important ecosystem. Pythons disrupt the natural food chain and prey on native wildlife that depend on the Everglades. Removing pythons from this ecosystem is critical to the survival of the species that call this area home. The South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission continue to have great success managing these invasive pythons. Long live the Everglades!' 'We're excited to join our partners in the State of Florida for this year's Florida Python Challenge,' saidPedro Ramos, superintendent of Everglades National Park, who oversees the South Florida National Parks and Preserve. 'For years, we've worked alongside the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the South Florida Water Management District, and others to manage pythons and other invasive species while educating the public about their impact on the Everglades. This event marks another milestone in that collaboration as we include Everglades National Park in the Challenge.' This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FWC 2025 Florida Python snake hunt dates announced, prize money
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Florida Python Challenge 2025 is set: When is it, where is it, prize money. What to know
The annual Florida Python Challenge is a big part of the effort to combat the unwelcome snakes. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the South Florida Water Management District announced the dates for the 2025 Challenge on May 15. Burmese pythons are an invasive species that have been slithering around the Everglades for years and destroying the ecosystem. The Florida Python Challenge is a 10-day competition created by FWC to encourage participants to remove the large nonvenomous constrictor snakes. Burmese pythons were introduced to Florida via the pet trade and are now well established in the Everglades, where the snake represents a threat to the ecosystem. More: When is Florida Python Challenge 2025? How you can join hunt for massive invasive snakes More: Python Q&A: What does it mean when you say 'every python removed makes a difference'? Here are six things to know about the Florida Python Challenge: It begins at 12:01 a.m. on July 11, 2025 and it ends at 5 p.m. on July 20, 2025. This is earlier than in the past when the Challenge had been held in August. Participants will try to remove pythons from seven commission-managed lands in South Florida. For the 2024 Challenge, there was $25,000 in prizes up for grabs. According to the FWC, the top prize of $10,000 goes to the person who catches the most pythons. Ronald Kiger won the grand prize in 2024. Kiger removed a total of 20 pythons. The Florida Python Challenge is a 10-day competition created by FWC to encourage participants to remove the large nonvenomous constrictor snakes that are an invasive species in Florida. Burmese pythons were introduced to Florida via the pet trade and are now well established in the Everglades, where the snake represents a threat to the ecosystem. The competition also serves as a conservation effort to raise awareness about the python's impacts on local ecology and to encourage the public to continuously remove the snake from the wild. Along with the FWC, the Challenge is supported by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and Gov. Ron DeSantis. A total of 195 pythons were removed in 2024 during the Challenge, which was 14 fewer than 2023. There were also fewer participants last year compared to 2023. There were 857 competitors, including two from Canada, who participated in the 2024 Challenge. More than 1,000 participated in 2023. As of the 2024 Florida Python Challenge: Python carcasses must be kept chilled or frozen, then turned into the nearest Florida Python Challenge check station within 24 hours of capture. Participants must carry a printed or digital copy of their Florida Python Challenge registration notification email while hunting. Participants must complete required online training and receive a unique completion code. Only Burmese pythons removed from competition locations are valid entries. The use of firearms is prohibited during the competition. The use of dogs or other animals to search, capture, or kill is prohibited. Air guns and captive bolts are allowed. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: When is the 2025 Florida Python Challenge?
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Python hot spot discovered in Palm Beach County: 5 things to know on invasive snake
Burmese pythons have been a persistent problem in Florida for years, significantly disrupting the local ecosystem. These invasive snakes have few natural predators, allowing their population to grow rapidly. The issue has become so widespread that people have turned to python hunting as a job. One of the most notable events is the annual Burmese Python Challenge, where participants compete for a grand prize by capturing as many pythons as possible. With the population of these snakes continuing to rise, the need for effective hunting strategies has never been greater. Recently, the University of Florida discovered a new hotspot for python activity in South Florida during a study to pinpoint the best times and seasons for hunting. Here's everything you need to know for capturing these invasive species. More: Python 'hot spot' identified in Palm Beach County by University of Florida study The study found a handful of known hot spots in South Florida where hunters were able to catch a lot of pythons. Those include areas near the edges of Everglades National Park, and south of Biscayne National Park. But hot spots that could provide ample prey for more hunters were discovered at the western edge of Big Cypress National Preserve in Collier County and stormwater treatment area 3-4, which is about 24 miles south of Belle Glade and adjacent to the Holey Land Wildlife Management Area. The best time to hunt pythons is between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. during the wet season from May to October, with the highest catches in August. Since 2006, 69 pythons have been captured in Palm Beach County, according to the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS). Additionally, four pythons have been found dead, and 24 sightings have been reported. The Burmese python invasion in Florida began with the release of captive snakes, either intentional or accidental. By the mid-1980s, these snakes had likely established a presence in Everglades National Park, according to the 2021 Florida Python Control Plan. Yes, people are paid to hunt pythons. While the standard hourly rate for South Florida Water Management District hunters is $13, an incentive pay of $30 per hour is offered in certain areas, such as the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, to attract hunters to locations with fewer snakes. In stormwater treatment areas, the pay is $18 per hour. Burmese pythons, an invasive species in Florida, are expected to remain a problem for the foreseeable future. Despite increasing efforts, no current methods can fully eradicate the population, but researchers continue to explore new strategies to manage their impact. More: Grand prize winner of 2024 Florida Python Challenge announced The winner of the 2024 Python Challenge was Ronald Kiger of Marion County, who captured 20 Burmese pythons and took home the $10,000 grand prize. Diamond Walker is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at dkwalker@ Help support our journalism. Subscribe today This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Burmese pythons: New hunting hotspot found by University of Florida
