The weekend marked the start of Florida's second Python Challenge, which is a public search for Burmese pythons "with the goal of empowering people to take an active role in conserving the Florida Everglades through invasive species removal," according to the challenge's wesbite. A cash prize is offered to the captors of the largest python, as well as to whoever catches the most, according to CNN
The Python Challenge is held in conjunction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) and aims to contain the spread of other invasive species such as lionfish and tegu lizards as part of their campaign, according to USA Today. The FFWCC emphasizes on their site that the event is "not a python hunting program or a recreational program," but a public effort to reduce the number of invasive reptiles living in the Florida Everglades.
Burmese pythons are a significant problem for Florida and are described by U.S. Geological Survey Director Marcia McNutt as "wreaking havoc on one of America's most beautiful, treasured and naturally bountiful ecosystems," according to CNN. Originally introduced through the exotic pet trade, the problem was worsened in 1992 when destruction from Hurricane Andrew released pythons from a breeding facility, according to CNN. Since then, pythons have flourished in Florida's conditions and have quickly become a threat to the native animal and plant species in the area, according to the New York Times.
U.S. Geological Survey Director Marcia McNutt, stated in a 2012 report that "the only hope to halt further python invasion into new areas is swift, decisive and deliberate human action," according to CNN. Some experts, however, have expressed hopelessness at the scale of the task, with Linda Friar of Everglades National Park claiming that the python cannot be eradicated and that the cost of containment is more than resources can allow, according to USA Today.
The Python Challenge began on Jan. 16 and will continue until Feb. 14. Almost 1,600 people participated in 2013, although only 68 pythons were caught, according to CBS News.
