About 200 Burmese pythons were removed from the South Florida Everglades in August as part of an annual contest to eradicate invasive species from the ecosystem.
This year's Florida Python Challenge attracted 857 participants from 33 states and Canada, who caught a total of 195 Burmese pythons.
The $10,000 prize went to Ronald Kiger, who removed 20 pythons from the Everglades during a 10-day hunt aimed at raising awareness of the threat these snakes pose to the ecosystem.
Kiger took part in the challenge last year and came in runner-up to the grand prize winner.
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Ronald Kiger captured 20 Burmese pythons in August and was the grand prize winner of the Florida Python Challenge. (Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Representatives from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Kiger as the top prize winner Tuesday morning on Duck Key.
“The success of the 2024 Florida Python Challenge is a collaborative effort made possible by the contributions of more than 800 participants, the dedicated efforts of our staff, invaluable support from our partners and the committed leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barrett. “Since 2017, FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors have successfully removed more than 14,000 pythons. This collaborative effort continues to have a direct positive impact on the Everglades and native wildlife through removal and awareness.”
Kiger won the grand prize, but additional prize money was distributed among participants in three divisions: beginner, professional and military.
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The Florida Python Challenge took place in August and saw the removal of around 200 invasive Burmese pythons from the Florida Everglades. (Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Donna Kalil, who came within one python of tying Kiger for the pro title, caught 19 pythons and won $2,500. She works as a contractor for the South Florida Water Management District.
Fellow professional competitor Marcos Rodriguez won $1,500 for catching 16 pythons, while Quentin Archie won $1,000 for catching the longest python at 8ft 11in. Dennis Krumm also won $1,000 for catching the longest python in the novice division and the entire competition, measuring 9ft 11in.
In the novice division, Thomas Hobbs caught 16 Burmese pythons and won $2,500, while in the military division, Jeff Lins caught five pythons and won $2,500. In addition, Antonio Ramos won $1,000 for catching the longest python in the military group, measuring 9 feet 7 inches.
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A Burmese python, an invasive species in the area, has been captured in South Florida. (Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife photo/Andy Racemell)
During the contest in mid-August, the hunters were tasked with humanely killing a Burmese python and delivering its carcass to one of the contest's three check stations in South Florida.
The challenge provided a great incentive for hunters, but it also provided an opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers of Burmese pythons and the risk they pose to native animals and contain high levels of mercury that make them unsafe for human consumption.
According to the FWC, Burmese pythons are not native to Florida, and their presence in the Everglades ecosystem and South Florida is disrupting native species because female Burmese pythons can lay 50 to 100 eggs at a time.
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In addition to the Florida Python Challenge, the FWC said residents can continue to control the invasive species by humanely removing pythons, which can be done at any time on private land with landowner permission and on 25 commission-managed lands in South Florida.
Non-native fish and wildlife can also be reported through the FWC's Invasive Species Hotline at 1-888-483-4681, online at IveGot1.org or by downloading the IveGot1 smartphone app.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
