More than 1,000 Burmese Pythons captured and killed in Florida's war against the invasive species
Image: Conservancy of Southwest Florida
Florida's battle against the invasive Burmese python has reached a startling milestone. More than 1,000 snakes have been captured and humanely euthanised by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida since 2013.
This amounts to nearly 20 tons of python mass. This aggressive removal effort is part of a broader mission to protect the Everglades' fragile ecosystem, where these non-native predators have been wiping out native species. The latest breeding season alone accounted for a record-breaking 6,300 pounds of python. Though the numbers are daunting, experts believe the numbers may slowly be turning down in favour of native wildlife.
Burmese Python: A growing threat to native species in Florida
Burmese pythons are native to Southeast Asia. They first appeared in Florida in the 1970s, likely due to pet releases. Since then, they have multiplied rapidly in the wild, feeding on over 85 species of native mammals, birds, and reptiles. With no natural predators and abundant prey in the Everglades, they have spread unchecked and severely damaging local biodiversity.
Image: Conservancy of Southwest Florida
Record-breaking rise in breeding season
Between November and April, which is their breeding season, the Conservancy's team removed more than 6,300 pounds of python from a 200-square-mile area in Southwest Florida.
Some individual snakes reached up to 215 pounds and nearly 18 feet in length, with many females euthanized before they could lay eggs. These removals likely prevented the hatching of over 20,000 eggs.
Tracking the Burmese Python with 'Scout Snakes'
A key tool in this effort is the use of radio-tagged male pythons, known as 'scout snakes.' These snakes are released and tracked during mating season which lead biologists to hidden nests of large reproductive females.
After the females are euthanized, the scouts are reused to locate more. The technique has proven to be an effective way to find breeding hotspots.
Signs of progress and setbacks
While pythons are still expanding their range with sightings near Lake Okeechobee, there are signs of success also. Biologists report smaller and fewer females being located by scout males, suggesting population pressure. Occasionally, native predators like bobcats and endangered eastern indigo snakes have also been observed preying on young pythons, which is a hopeful sign of ecosystem resistance.
A Multi-agency effort
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida collaborates with the U.S. Geological Survey, University of Florida, National Park Service, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to carry out this ambitious project. The goal is not complete eradication but population control. These efforts reduce pressure on native species and restore ecological balance in one of the world's most unique wetland habitats.
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