Burmese Python Hunting To Be Expanded In Everglades

HOMESTEAD, FL - More hunters of Burmese pythons are being hired to remove the invasive species from Everglades National Park, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Thursday. The FWC is entering a partnership with Everglades National Park to expand efforts to remove the pythons.

The partnership will allow paid FWC contractors to remove pythons in the park and triple the maximum allowed number of hunters in the park from 40 to 120, allow FWC contractors to use firearms or other humane methods to euthanize pythons in the wild and qualify additional trained personnel to live capture and turn in pythons.

The new program could go into effect as early as July. Contractors will be paid monthly by the FWC for python removal efforts based on hourly rates of $8.25/hour for surveys conducted on Everglades and Francis S. Taylor WMA and Everglades National Park; $15/hour for surveys conducted on Holey Land, Rotenberger, Big Cypress and Picayune Strand WMAs and $15/hour for responding to survey requests.

Contractors also will be paid $200 for removal of each active python nest. The FWC will make an additional payment of $50 for pythons measuring up to 4 feet, and an extra $25 for every foot measured above 4 feet.

"While hunting remains prohibited by law in Everglades National Park,” said Everglades National Park Superintendent Pedro Ramos, “we believe the expansion of the program to include allowing FWC contractors to remove pythons in the park will be welcomed by concerned citizens that want to play a role in helping with this significant problem."

Burmese pythons pose a significant threat to the Everglades ecosystem. State and federal officials have invested millions of dollars in developing and testing ways to remove pythons from the Everglades.

While the research has improved knowledge of the python population, FWC officials say eliminating pythons using current technology is impossible. Search and removal by trained individuals remains the best method to remove pythons. The park used volunteers for removal in the past, and while it will continue to do so, the addition of FWC contractors will allow greater numbers of hunters to participate, state officials said.

Park officials and the FWC will hold a required Everglades National Park orientation for the contractors so they understand the park’s program and rules.

Burmese pythons became established in Florida as a result of escaped or released pets. FWC says people should never release nonnative pets in the wild in Florida. It is illegal and can impact native wildlife and habitat.

The FWC has an Exotic Pet Amnesty Program that allows nonnative pets to be surrendered without penalty. For more information about the FWC’s Python Removal Contractor Program or Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, visit MyFWC.com/Python.

Eligible hunter applicants must have captured and removed at least three Burmese pythons from the Everglades while working under a valid FWC Python Removal permit, as an Everglades National Park authorized agent or from private lands with landowner permission (pythons removed from private lands must be documented by photographs and must have been euthanized at the time and site of capture or deposited with the FWC).

To apply to be a contractor, click here.

Image via Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission