Today, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and partners celebrated a successful 2024 Florida Python Challenge™ by announcing the final results and winners of the 10-day competition. This year, 857 participants from 33 states and Canada helped support Everglades conservation by collectively removing 195 invasive Burmese pythons from South Florida as part of the competition, with the Ultimate Grand Prize winner removing a total of 20 pythons. The aim of the Florida Python Challenge™ is to increase awareness about invasive species and the threats they pose to Florida’s ecology.
“The success of the 2024 Florida Python Challenge™ was a collective achievement, made possible by the contributions of more than 800 participants, the dedicated efforts of our staff, the invaluable support from our partners and the dedicated leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis,” said Rodney Barreto, FWC Chairman. “Over 14,000 pythons have been successfully removed by FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors since 2017. This collective effort continues to have a direct positive impact on the Everglades and our native wildlife through removal and awareness.”
“Congratulations to all the 2024 Florida Python Challenge™ winners! Our python hunters are passionate about protecting the Everglades, and I am proud of their efforts to remove these invasive snakes from across this precious ecosystem. Every invasive python that is removed makes a difference for Florida’s environment and its native wildlife,” said South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Member “Alligator Ron” Bergeron. “Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida has taken unprecedented steps to remove invasive pythons, protect our natural resources and conserve native wildlife. 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 this national treasure for generations to come. Long live the Everglades!”
The winners of the 2024 Florida Python Challenge™ were announced at FWC’s Commission Meeting held in Duck Key. The Ultimate Grand Prize winner was Ronald Kiger, who removed 20 Burmese pythons, winning $10,000. More information on winners and prizes for longest pythons and most pythons removed in novice, professional, and military categories is detailed below.
“There were over 700 competitors from Florida and over 100 from out of state, including two from Canada who participated in this year’s Florida Python Challenge™,” said Roger Young, FWC Executive Director. “Thanks to Governor DeSantis and our many partners who support the Florida Python Challenge™ each year to bring awareness to removing invasive Burmese pythons from Florida’s environment.”
Under Governor DeSantis's leadership, FWC hosts this annual event along with South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida (FWFF). This initiative aims at raising awareness about invasive species in addition to encouraging public involvement in Everglades conservation through direct action.
Bergeron Everglades Foundation alongside Inversa Leathers generously provided $10,000 each as Platinum Level sponsors for conservation efforts via this challenge while additional prize funding came from Gold Level sponsor Edison National Bank/Bank of Islands; Silver Level sponsor Dakota Matting; as well FWFF itself supporting these initiatives further still available details can be found online at FLPythonChallenge.org
**2024 Prize Winners**
*Ultimate Grand Prize*: Awarded $10k participant Ronald Kiger - removed total twenty (20) Burmese Pythons
**Professional Category:**
*Most Pythons Prize*: Donna Kalil - nineteen (19) Pythons awarded $2k5
*Runner-Up*: Marcos Rodriguez - sixteen (16) Pythons awarded $1k5
*Longest Python*: Quentin Archie measured eight feet eleven inches received thousand dollars ($1k)
**Novice Category:**
*Most Pythons Prize*: Thomas Hobbs captured sixteen(16)-pythons received two thousand five hundred dollars($2k5)
*Runner-Up*: Donald Straughan managed seven(7)-pythons awarded fifteen hundred dollars($1k5)
*Longest-Python*: Dennis-Krum measuring nine feet eleven inches won thousand-dollar($1k)
**Military Category Active Duty/Veterans:**
*Most-Python Military-Prize*: Jeff Lince(U.S Army)-captured five(5)-pythons won twenty-five-hundred-dollars($2K5)
Runner-Up David Wagner(U.S Army)-three(3)pythons won fifteen-hundred-dollar($1K5)
Longest-Python-Military-Prize Antonio Ramos(U.S Army)-nine-feet-seven-inches got thousand-dollar-prize ($1K).
Burmese pythons are not native impacting negatively local ecosystems primarily around south-Florida-Everglade preying upon birds/mammals/reptiles capable laying fifty-to-hundred eggs annually since-2000 reporting indicates twenty-two-thousand-plus removals statewide documented-FWC records suggest active public engagement encouraged aiding further non-native-species control through humane-killing permitted private lands owner consent authorized sites report sightings call-in hotline-(888)-IVE-GOT1 or visit website/ app download "IveGotOne" additional-information accessible MyFWC.com/Nonnatives
Fish-Wildlife Foundation non-profit org supports conservational initiatives raising/donating nearly hundred-million dollars towards various projects fostering educational outreach related details WildlifeFlorida.org