Governor DeSantis launches 2023 Python Challenge®: Join the fight against invasive serpents

Governor Ron DeSantis has officially announced the opening of registration for the highly anticipated 2023 Florida Python Challenge®.

This year, participants will have the opportunity to compete for over $30,000 in prizes while helping to eradicate the invasive Burmese pythons from Florida’s wilderness.

Starting today, individuals interested in joining the competition can complete the necessary online training to qualify for the 10-day challenge, which will take place from August 4th to August 13th, 2023. The event is open to both experienced professionals and novice participants.

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“Since day one, we have prioritized Everglades restoration by investing record funding for conservation projects and increasing resources for the removal of invasive Burmese pythons that harm this treasured ecosystem,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Because of this focused commitment, my tenure in office has accounted for more than half of the 18,000 pythons removed from the Everglades since 2000. The Python Challenge allows folks to participate firsthand in Everglades restoration efforts, and I look forward to seeing this year’s results.”

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Chairman, Rodney Barreto, also expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “Since the first Florida Python Challenge® in 2013, we have reached a countless number of people across the globe, alerting them to the negative impacts caused by Burmese pythons and other invasive species in Florida. Thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis and our partners with the South Florida Water Management District, we are once again hosting this event for the public to get involved in protecting our native wildlife while competing to win thousands of dollars for their efforts in removing Burmese pythons from our iconic Florida Everglades ecosystem, a place like nowhere else on Earth.”

South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board Member “Alligator Ron” Bergeron emphasized the importance of protecting and restoring the Everglades, saying, “There is nowhere in the world like America’s Everglades, and we need to continue to protect and restore this national treasure. Removing invasive pythons from across the Greater Everglades Ecosystem is absolutely critical, and we must do everything we can to combat this invasive species. I very much look forward to seeing the results of the 2023 Florida Python Challenge®.”

Last year’s Florida Python Challenge® proved successful, with participants removing a total of 231 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades. This marked an increase from the previous year and more than double the number removed in 2020. The competition drew nearly 1,000 participants from 32 states, Canada, and Latvia.

In addition to the 10-day challenge, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers year-round python removal opportunities on 25 Commission-managed lands. Additionally, individuals can humanely kill pythons on private lands with the permission of the landowner, without the need for a permit or hunting license.

Burmese pythons, not native to Florida, pose a significant threat to the state’s native wildlife. Found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem, these invasive species prey on birds, mammals, and other reptiles.

Female Burmese pythons can lay between 50 and 100 eggs at a time. Since 2000, over 18,000 Burmese pythons have been reported and removed from the environment by the FWC.

For more information on Burmese pythons and the ongoing conservation efforts, interested individuals can visit MyFWC.com/Python.

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