After a month-long state-sanctioned hunt for invasive
Burmese Pythons in Florida, 106 snakes were killed, with the longest measuring
15 feet.
This year's annual Python Challenge enlisted more than
1,000 people from 29 states to cull the python population between January 16, - February 14.
A team of four killed a nearly a third of the overall tally
with 33 pythons, taking home the $5,000 cash prize. They won an additional
$3,000 for capturing the longest snake, clocking in at 15 feet.
The competition was started in 2013 by the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission in order to keep the creatures from 'posing a
threat to native wildlife'.
FWC Commissioner Ron Bergeron said, “Each python that is removed makes a
difference for our native wildlife, and the increased public awareness will
help us keep people involved as we continue managing invasive species in
Florida.”
The python, which was once allowed to be kept as a pet, is
believed to have been introduced into Florida's ecosystem in 1992 when they
escaped from a breeding facility during Hurricane Andrew.
Researchers have predicted that there are at least 30,000
pythons in Florida's everglades, with some suggesting as many as 300,000 occupy
southern Florida.
All the snakes captured in the Python Challenge were turned
over to researchers who are trying to find clues to help control the
population.
Some animal rights groups have blasted the event for the
unethical way the snakes are killed.
While they are not opposed to the hunt itself, PETA
President Ingrid Newkirk, said, “Pythons who have had their heads hacked off
remain alive and will writhe in agony for hours if their brains are not
immediately destroyed.”
“PETA is calling on Florida officials to stop authorizing
snake decapitation and make it clear that this egregiously inhumane killing
method is unacceptable.”
It has suggested the hunters use bolt guns and fire arms to
'instantly kill the animals'. It has also condemned the 'bounty like' system to
reward the killing of snakes.
The Burmese python, a native of south east Asia, is “wreaking
havoc on one of America's most beautiful, treasured and naturally bountiful
ecosystems,” U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Director Marcia McNutt said in a
2012 report.
“Right now, the only hope to halt further python invasion
into new areas is swift, decisive and deliberate human action.”
But the reptiles are notoriously difficult to find in the
Everglades. In the first Python Challenge three years ago, around 1,600 hunters
caught just 68, CNN reported.
The state's wildlife commission trained more than 500
people before the competition, teaching them how to identify, and locate, and
capture Burmese pythons in a safe and humane way.
Participants were also required to complete an online
training module.
In addition to the training, favorable weather conditions
and a larger geographic area for the competition led to this year's success.
“We are excited to see so many people contribute to this
important effort to conserve Florida's natural treasure, the Everglades
ecosystem,” said Bergeron. “We need to keep this momentum going now that the
competition is over.”
Team captain, Bill Booth, along with Duane Clark, Dusty
Crum and Craig Nicks took home the $5,000 prize for first place for the team
category after they killed 33.
The team of four also captured the longest python, which
measured 15 feet and was awarded an additional $3,000.
Daniel Moniz captured 13 pythons, the most by any
individual, and received $3,500.
