A new milestone has been reached in efforts to restore the Everglades with the removal of 5,000 invasive Burmese pythons from the South Florida Everglades ecosystem.
“We’ve learned through the Python Challenge that experience counts when finding and removing Burmese pythons,” said Rodney Barreto, FWC Commissioner. “We can’t win the battle alone. It’s one team, one mission. We need the support of these experienced python hunters as well as the partnership with the South Florida Water Management District.”
“Every snake counts. Each invasive python eliminated represents hundreds of native Florida wildlife saved . . . Florida is doing more than it ever has to remove pythons from the Everglades and protect this ecosystem for generations to come,” according to Ron Bergeron, SFWMD governing board member.
Citizens are reminded they can help control nonnative invasive wildlife by reporting sightings to the Exotic Species Hotline at (888)483-4681, by using the free smartphone app IVEGOT1, or online.
The public is asked, if possible, to take a picture and note the exact location of the sighting. Python Action Team and Python Elimination Program members respond to reports of large constrictors and other priority species to remove the harmful invaders from the wild.
Burmese pythons became established in Florida as a result of escaped or released pets. It is illegal to release nonnative species into the wild and can negatively impact Florida’s native wildlife and habitat. The FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program allows pet owners to surrender nonnative or exotic pets without penalty.
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