Registration open for Python Challenge, to be held August 9-18 in south Florida
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
Miami-Dade County, Florida — On May 30, 2024, Florida's Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez announced that registration is now open for the 10-day 2024 Florida Python Challenge that will run August 9 – 18, 2024 in south Florida.
The competition is open to both professional and novice participants who will compete to win a share of more than $25,000 in prizes for removing invasive Burmese pythons from the wild.
Registration
Starting May 30, those interested in participating in the 2024 Florida Python Challenge can complete the required online training to compete in the competition at flpythonchallenge.org. You can also learn about the Florida Python Challenge, view additional, optional training opportunities, and register for the event. You can also learn about Burmese pythons and the Everglades ecosystem, and find resources for planning a trip to South Florida to participate in the Florida Python Challenge.
The 2023 Florida Python Challenge resulted in the removal of 209 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades. To date, a total of 917 pythons have been removed as a result of the Florida Python Challenge. For the 2023competition, 1,050 people from 35 states and Belgium registered for the event.
Other Python Removal Opoportunities
Python removal opportunities are also available on 32 FWC-managed lands, which are available year-round.
Pythons can be humanely killed on private lands at any time with landowner permission — no permit or hunting license required — and the FWC encourages people to remove and humanely kill pythons from private lands whenever possible.
Comments by Officials
“I wish all participants a memorable and safe hunt, and I look forward to congratulating this year’s winners,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez.
“This event allows the public to get involved in protecting our native wildlife while competing to win thousands of dollars for their efforts removing Burmese pythons from our iconic Florida Everglades ecosystem, a place like nowhere else on Earth,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Executive Director Roger Young.
“The great partnership between the South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is critical as we continue to work together to protect the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, conserve native wildlife, and combat invasive pythons,” said South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Member “Alligator Ron” Bergeron. “The Everglades is one of the natural wonders of the world, and the Python Challenge is another great way to get people directly involved in the protection of the Everglades. Long live the Everglades!”
About Invasive Burmese Pythons
Burmese pythons are not native to Florida, and they negatively impact native wildlife. This invasive species is found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem in South Florida where they prey on birds, mammals, and other reptiles. A female Burmese python may lay 50 to 100 eggs at a time. Since 2000, more than 21,000 Burmese pythons have been reported to the FWC as removed from the environment.
For more information on Burmese pythons, visit MyFWC.com/Python.