Python ChallengeThe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is launching the 2013 Python Challenge™ in collaboration with partners to enlist both the general public and python permit holders in a concentrated, month-long harvest of Burmese pythons in the Everglades.
The 2013 Python Challenge™ Kickoff on Saturday, Jan. 12 will include a 10 a.m. news conference announcing the competitive harvest of Burmese pythons. Both the General Competition and Python Permit Holders Competition will start that day at 1 p.m. The kickoff will be part of a public event held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the University of Florida Research and Education Center, 3205 College Avenue, Davie, FL 33314.
Registrants will be emailed a receipt along with a permit. This permit is provided at no cost to you. However, this permit authorizing harvest of Burmese Pythons is required for participation in the event, and must be carried when partipating in the 2013 Python Challenge competition.
People can register to compete throughout the duration of the competition, even on the last day. To compete in the Python Permit Holders Competition, you must have a python removal permit. Python removal permit applications must be received by COB on Monday, December 17, 2012 in order to be processed in time for the Python Challenge™. If you do not have a python removal permit, we welcome your participation in the General Competition.
The harvesting of Burmese pythons counted as official entries in the 2013 Python Challenge™ will conclude at midnight on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013.
The persons who harvest the longest Burmese pythons and the most Burmese pythons in the two separate competition categories will be the winners of the 2013 Python Challenge™.
The winners, who must be present to claim their prizes, will be announced at a ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013 at the 2013 Python Challenge™ Awareness and Awards Event. That public event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Zoo Miami, 12400 Southwest 152nd Street, Miami, FL 33177.
To find out more about the 2013 Python Challenge™ prizes, go to the 2013 Python Challenge™ Prize page….
http://www.pythonchallenge.org/python-challenge.aspx
Python Problem: Invasive Snakes Wreak Havoc in the Everglades
Last week Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officials killed one of the largest Burmese pythons ever taken from the Everglades. The monster serpent measured almost 16 feet in length and weighed an incredible 215 pounds. Officials discovered a large portion of that weight inside the snake when they cut it open to discover a fully intact 76-pound deer in its stomach.