Latest news with #SFWMD
NDTV
12-08-2025
- General
- NDTV
Florida Man Earns Rs 87,000 Reward After Capturing 87 Pythons In A Month
A Florida man bagged 87 invasive Burmese pythons in a month and earned a $1,000 (approx Rs 87,000) reward through the state incentive system. Aaron Mann won the monthly prize money as part of the South Florida Water Management District's (SFWMD) Python Elimination Program, reported The New York Post. The program encourages knowledgeable Sunshine State citizens to catch and kill as many of the state's invasive Burmese pythons as possible. The incentives include by-the-foot compensation and monthly prizes for the highest catch count. Mann won the reward for July. The annual Florida Python Challenge attracted a large number of participants last year. However, they managed to kill only 200 of the reptiles throughout the 10-day hunt. The winner of the challenge last year took home a $10,000 (Rs 8.7 lakh) incentive after removing 20 pythons, which is a small portion of Mann's total. In addition to the winner, specialised python removal workers are also compensated $50 (Rs 4,400) for each snake they capture. They get an additional $25 (Rs 2,200) for each foot for snakes longer than the typical 4 feet. According to SFWMD, the Python Elimination Program aims to reduce the invasive python population, which poses a significant threat to the ecosystem by preying on native birds, mammals, and reptiles. The reptiles can measure as long as 18 feet in length and are capable of swallowing an entire deer whole. They also have no natural predators to keep their numbers in check. The program is part of the state's efforts to control the snake population in the Everglades, which has grown significantly since the 1990s. While the officials aren't sure what the precise count is, the state continues to implement new measures, including a tracking program using "cartoonish robot rabbits" to detect pythons and dispatch removal agents. Once a python is detected through the tracking system, officials send a removal agent to capture and eliminate the snake, who would then receive compensation for their efforts. Roughly 19,000 pythons have been removed from the Everglades since 2000, reported Fox Weather Service.
New York Post
12-08-2025
- General
- New York Post
Florida man catches 87 invasive pythons in a month, awarded $1K through state incentive system
A Florida man with near-unmatched gumption for slaying snakes was awarded $1,000 through a new state incentive system for capturing a staggering 87 invasive pythons in just one month. Aaron Mann clinched the monthly prize as part of South Florida Water Management District's Python Elimination Program, which encourages skilled Sunshine State residents to capture and kill as many of its invasive Burmese pythons as possible. 3 Aaron Mann won $1,000 for capturing the most Burmese pythons in the state in July. SFWMD Advertisement Mann posed victoriously with one of his bounties alongside a hunting partner, draping the monstrous reptile over both their shoulders while reveling in their kill count — and impending reward. In early 2025, the program introduced a monetary award that will be doled out to the daredevils with the highest count each month. The Sunshine State already sponsors a series of other events aimed at tapering the python population bit by bit, including the annual Florida Python Challenge, which saw a slew of participants only wipe out 200 of the reptiles over the 10-day hunt last year — a mere fraction of Mann's bounty. Advertisement 3 Florida also offers other incentives, including by-the-foot compensation for pythons. The News-Press-USA TODAY NETWORK Last year's Challenge winner only removed 20 pythons, but brought home a $10,000 reward. Additionally, specialized python removal agents are paid $50 for each snake they secure, with an extra $25 thrown in for every foot on snakes stretching longer than the average 4 feet. In 2023, a 19-foot python was captured in Florida, which would be worth $425 under the new incentive programs. Advertisement The state also introduced a tracking program using cartoonish robot rabbits that would alert the SFWMD when it spots a python. From there, officials would dispatch someone to remove the snake — likely one of the removal agents who would additionally be compensated for their efforts. 3 The Burmese python is a non native, invasive species in Florida. South Florida Water Management District The Burmese pythons have roamed Florida's Everglades since the 1990s, despite being a non native species to the US. Their population has only grown, and officials have no idea what the exact count could be by now. Roughly 19,000 have been removed from the Everglades since 2000, according to Fox Weather Service.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
South Florida Water Management District's new Python Elimination Program rewards catches
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: 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
CBS News
16-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
FEMA pulls $150 million from South Florida flood projects, sparking community outcry
Hundreds of thousands of South Florida homes already vulnerable to flooding are now left even more exposed after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) abruptly canceled $150 million in grants meant to upgrade aging flood infrastructure. FEMA's decision to terminate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and revoke all pending grant applications from fiscal years 2020 to 2023 has halted flood control upgrades in several communities. The agency called the move an effort to reduce waste and realign with executive priorities. "The BRIC program was yet another example of a wasteful and ineffective FEMA program," a FEMA spokesperson said in an April statement. "It was more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters. Under (United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi) Noem's leadership, we are committed to ensuring that Americans in crisis can get the help and resources they need." The canceled funding included $148 million allocated to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to improve three canal basins plagued by flooding. All three have spillways deemed inadequate by the district's engineering reports, with upgrades planned to better manage stormwater, improve water quality, and protect homes. Without the upgrades, SFWMD research warns that flooding and erosion could imperil vast stretches of Miami-Dade and parts of Broward County, including neighborhoods such as Miami Shores, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Little Haiti, Opa-Locka, Hialeah, Miami Springs and Miami Gardens. Local residents fear the consequences "I'm worried," said Mary Charlsmith, a North Miami resident. "Where I live in North Miami when it rains a lot, there's a lot of flooding in the street. I have concern, of course." Charlsmith said floodwaters twice entered her home last year. "We have to put sandbags in front of the door but that doesn't help," she added. Others echoed her alarm, including Miami Shores resident Fernando Monsalvo. "It worries me a lot, the investments that we lost, $148 million," Monsalvo said in Spanish. "Instead, there should be more spent to protect our quality of life. Now, we're going to suffer a lot." Victor Guzman, also of Miami Shores, said bluntly, "It's a need and the government taking them off is not a good thing." Local leaders push back Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson, who represents a portion of the affected area, criticized the FEMA decision as dangerous and politically motivated. "This administration couldn't care less about the safety of our families," she said. "Slashing funds for flood mitigation and hurricane prep isn't just reckless: it's life or death for South Florida. Sea levels are rising. Flooding is getting worse." Wilson added: "Only Congress has the power of the purse, not the Executive Branch. Congress must act now to ensure FEMA BRIC funding and flood mitigation programs get every dollar they were promised." In a statement to CBS News Miami, a SFWMD spokesperson said the agency remains committed to its projects despite the setback. "No immediate decisions are needed at this time because we are still designing the projects and have not started construction," the statement read. "The South Florida Water Management District will continue to work closely with our local, state and federal partners to provide flood control in these communities." Miami-Dade County had planned to contribute funding as well. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said her office is "monitoring closely all of the changes at the federal level." "We're doing our very best to make sure we continue to do as we've done: have a very resilient economy and infrastructure," she told CBS News Miami. "So far, so good." Still, with iguanas and birds sunning themselves atop spillways that no longer function as designed, and rainstorms becoming more severe, residents fear time and water are running out.
