Alligator and Snake Baby Python Snake Suffocating a Pig

Python Elimination Program

The South Florida H2o Direction Commune Governing Board is taking aggressive activeness to protect the Everglades and eliminate invasive pythons from across the landscape. Starting in March 2017, the Python Elimination Program incentivizes a limited number of public-spirited individuals to humanely euthanize these subversive snakes which have become an invasive apex predator in the Everglades. The program provides admission to python removal agents on designated lands in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Collier, Hendry, Lee, and Palm Beach counties.

Now Accepting New Applications

The program isnow accepting applications for new python removal agents. All submitted applications will be kept on file and reviewed whenever positions go bachelor. More data on program eligibility and requirements is available in the "Program Details" and "Frequently Asked Questions" sections beneath. Thank you for your interest.

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Program Details

Python removal agents will exist paid:

An hourly rate ($10.00 per 60 minutes or $15.00 per hour depending on the area) for up to 10 (10) hours each day while actively searching for pythons on designated lands.
An additional incentive payment of $fifty.00 for each python measuring up to four (four) anxiety plus an extra $25.00 for each foot measured above four (4) feet. See example below:
An boosted $200.00 for each verified agile nest.

News, Videos and More

Find out the latest news and updates near SFWMD's Python Emptying Program.

News Releases
- SFWMD, FWC Hunters Remove Record Breaking Invasive Python from the Everglades - Oct. 8, 2020
- Gov. Ron DeSantis Directs SFWMD Governing Lath to Expand Python Elimination Program - Sept. 12, 2019
- FWC, SFWMD Denote Milestone in Effort to Restore the Everglades: 5,000 Burmese Pythons Removed - July 28, 2020
- 80 Pythons Submitted During the 2020 Python Bowl! - Jan. 25, 2020
- Florida Python Challenge 2020 Python Bowl Awards Celebration Jan. 24 - Jan. 24, 2019
- Gov. Ron DeSantis Directs SFWMD Governing Board to Expand Python Emptying Program- Sept. 12,2019
- SFWMD Python Hunters Nearing 2,000 Snakes Eliminated – Jan. 23, 2019
- Ssssseventeen (and a Half) Feet of Snake Sets Python Program Record – Nov. vii, 2018
- SFWMD Python Hunts = Two Miles of Invasive Snakes Eliminated – October. 5, 2018
- SFWMD Python Elimination Program Grows Bigger And More Aggressive With Broward and Collier Counties Expansion – June 16, 2017
- SFWMD Governing Board Takes Activity to Protect the Everglades – March nine, 2017
Presentations to SFWMD Governing Board
- Python Airplane pilot Plan Updates – June 8, 2017 [PDF]
- Python Pilot Program – March ix, 2017 [PDF]
Photo Gallery
Videos

Python Tracker

The charts beneath rails the ongoing progress of plan python removal agents. The charts are updated as python removal agents plow in pythons to SFWMD staff for measurement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Commune Trying to Remove Pythons?

Pythons are non-native, invasive snakes that are established and spreading throughout South Florida. These large constrictors pose direct threats to native wildlife. Pythons cause significant impacts to native prey, such every bit marsh rabbits, deer, wading birds and even alligators. Their ambitious predation on native wildlife robs native predators, such equally panthers, raptors, alligators, and bobcats of their primary nutrient sources.

What are the Target Species?

Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus)
Northern African Python (Python sebae sebae)
Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus)
Southern African Python (Python sebae natalensis)
Amethystine/Scrub Python (Morelia amethistina)
Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor)
Yellow Anaconda (Eunectes notaeus)
Greenish Anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
Beni Anaconda (Eunectes beniensis)
DeSchauensee's Anaconda (Eunectes deschauenseei)

Who Can Participate?

To be eligible, python removal agents must:

Be at least xviii (eighteen) years of historic period
Possess a valid driver'due south license
Possess a valid email address
Take a bank account for direct deposit
Have an iOS or Android mobile device that allows for download and utilization of the required Programme Software
Consent to exist tracked using the GPS tracking app
Sign a waiver of liability
Have not been bedevilled of a felony or wild animals-related crime within the last seven (7) years
Consent to submit to a criminal background bank check
Consent to using the program software

How Many Python Removal Agents Volition Be Selected?

There are limited positions available, and nosotros volition maintain up to fifty (50) contractors.

Where Can Selected Python Removal Agents Survey for Target Species?

Python removal agents volition have independent access to Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Expanse, Big Cypress National Preserve, Everglades National Park, Frog Pond and Rocky Glades Public Pocket-sized Game Hunting Areas, and other designated lands in South Florida.

How Will Python Removal Agents Be Compensated?

Python removal agents will receive $10.00 per hour or $fifteen.00 per hour depending on the area for up to ten (10) hours each solar day while actively searching for pythons on designated lands. For all eliminated pythons, the District will make an additional payment per python: $fifty.00 for pythons measuring upwards to four (4) anxiety, and an extra $25.00 for every foot measured above iv (iv) feet. Come across example below:

Python removal agents must provide all their own equipment necessary to engage in program activities.

Can Firearms Exist Used to Remove Pythons?

Yep. Firearm use must be consistent with the terms of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) let issued to SFWMD, as well every bit local, State and Federal regulations.

Why Must Python Removal Agents Have a Smart Phone?

Python removal agents are required to download and utilise free cloud-based time and GPS tracking software, forth with an electronic data drove system, on their GPS-enabled mobile device while conducting surveys. These are the methods used to verify python removal agent's time and location while engaging in program activities.

May Python Removal Agents Bring Assistants With Them During Surveys?

Yes. Python removal agents may bring up to three (3) unpaid administration with them while engaging in plan activities. Before being immune to accompany python removal agents during program activities, each assistant must:

Submit a photocopy of their ID
Submit to criminal background screening
Sign a liability waiver
Be at least eighteen years one-time
Have prior approval by the SFWMD project managing director

Can non-Contractors Remove Pythons From Public or Individual Lands?

Non-contractors may remove pythons from individual lands with landowner permission, and from certain public lands with no permit required. However, because Burmese pythons are a regulated species, they cannot be transported alive and must be humanely euthanized on-site. For more information on removing Burmese pythons on public and private lands, please visit the Florida Fish and Wild animals Conservation Commission'southward website at myfwc.com/python.

Does SFWMD Recoup non-Contractors for Python Removal?

No. Simply designated contractors are eligible for compensation in the Python Elimination Program.

Background

Click for Burmese python infographic The not-native Burmese python was probable introduced to Florida'due south Everglades by accidental or intentional releases by pet owners. Once sought-after bolt, pythons take been sold by breeders as pets or showpieces to exotic animal collectors. Since making their fashion into the bountiful grounds of the Everglades, these giant constrictors have thrived, assuming a top position on the food spider web.

While researchers accept been hard pressed to provide specific population numbers in the Everglades, a rapid number of increased sightings from 2005 to 2010 is concerning. The species was once relegated to only Everglades National Park and Miami-Dade County, but contempo tracking shows pythons are moving due west into locations such equally Big Cypress National Preserve and northward into Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Burmese pythons possess an insatiable appetite. They can not merely kill Florida native casualty species and pose a threat to humans, but also rob panthers, birds of casualty, alligators and bobcats of a principal food source.

A University of Florida study published in 2015 researched invasive pythons' impact on indigenous food sources. Researchers released 95 adult marsh rabbits in areas of the Everglades known to harbor pythons. Within 11 months of the release, the written report showed that pythons accounted for 77 percent of rabbit deaths, reducing prey for native predators.

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Source: https://www.sfwmd.gov/our-work/python-program