In this video, I want to talk about the official response of the state of Florida to the Burmese
python invasion of the Everglades.
In previous videos we have talked about how the Burmese python is wreaking havoc in South
Florida like a raging inferno, killing everything in its path including bobcats, rabbits, foxes,
deer and also threatened and endangered species such as Key Largo woodrat and Wood Stork.
Because the snake did not evolve in South Florida, the local wildlife had never seen
this type of monster before and just does not know how to deal with it.
So, how is the Floridian state government responding to this invasion?
To address this, the state has done several things.
There is a dedicated program called the Python Elimination Program set up by the South Florida
Water Management District Governing Board for snake removal by using paid agents.
When I say snake removal, I mean all invasive pythons and boas not just Burmese pythons.
Hence, in addition to Burmese pythons, it includes all types of anacondas, African pythons,
reticulated pythons etc.
These removal agents are paid an hourly rate of 10 or $15 depending on location for 10
hours of work a day to remove snakes.
In addition, for every snake up to 4 ft removed there will be a $50 bonus and an extra $25
for every foot of measurement after 4 ft.
Furthermore, if the removal agent disrupts an active nest, he or she will be rewarded
with an additional $200.
Hence, the state of Florida has responded by placing a bounty on these snakes.
However, the bounty is not available to the general public but to only to these specific
removal agents.
Removal agents are required to be at least 18 years old, have a driving license, agree
to undergo a background check at the time of recruitment, and consent to be being tracked
with a GPS software.
Their work is done in Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area, Big Cypress
National Preserve, Everglades National Park, Frog Pond and Rocky Glades Public Small Game
Hunting Areas, and other designated lands in South Florida.
Another dedicated state program to remove snakes is the Python Action Team Removing
Invasive Constrictors (PATRIC) run by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
also known as FWC.
Both teams are responsible for 50% of the 12,000 Burmese pythons that were removed at
the end of 2020.
Their combined work is breathtaking and phenomenal.
The FWC has shown innovation by training dogs to sniff out and track Burmese pythons.
Another way the state has responded is the sponsorship of the Florida Python Challenge.
In this exercise, several individuals engage in competition to remove snakes.
There are 2 categories to this competition-novice and professional.
Professional removers are paid experienced individuals who normally work or have worked
for agencies of the government.
A novice is anyone not considered a professional.
In both categories prizes are awarded to individuals who catch either the greatest number of snakes
or the longest snake.
In 2020, more than 750 individuals from 20 states registered for the 10-day competition.
Here are some winners of the July 2021 competition.
In addition to snakes being removed from the ecosystem, this competition also raises awareness
of the problem of the Burmese python in South Florida.
The state has also responded by enacting some legislation.
It is now illegal to release Burmese pythons into the wild.
Instead, the state has made is possible for pet owners to surrender their pet pythons
in an Amnesty program.
These are some of the ways that the state of Florida is fighting the Burmese python
invasion.
The question is “are these efforts effective?”.
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