State officials on Tuesday announced plans for this year’s Florida Python Challenge, an event aimed at raising awareness about invasive Burmese pythons in the Everglades.
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Last year’s competition drew more than 900 participants from 30 states and Canada, who collectively removed nearly 300 pythons, the wildlife commission said.
Registration has opened for this year’s event, which will run from Friday, July 10, to Sunday, July 19. Participants may remove pythons from various locations managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The wildlife commission joined the South Florida Water Management District and other partners to discuss the event during a news conference in the Everglades, off Tamiami Trail in Miami-Dade.
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“We must keep the pressure on both exotic animals and plants that continue to ruin our landscape,” said Pedro Ramos, superintendent of the Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks. “There’s no silver bullet to this job, and it takes partnership. It takes bold action, and yes, the engagement of Floridians, of citizens that also want to be part of the solution.”
There is a $25 registration fee for each person. The event’s website, flpythonchallenge.org, provides additional information. To participate, people must complete an online training course.
People may report python sightings to the wildlife commission’s exotic species hotline at 888-483-4681.
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