Hunters Vie for $25,000 in Prizes to Protect Florida’s Ecosystem
The 2025 Florida Python Challenge™ officially began today, with hundreds of registered participants already scouring the Everglades in a crucial effort to remove invasive Burmese pythons.
The annual competition, co-hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District, aims to raise awareness about the threats posed by invasive species to Florida’s delicate ecosystem and native wildlife.
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Competitors hit the ground running as early as 12:01 this morning, with the lure of protecting the Everglades and a chance to win a share of up to $25,000 in prizes. A significant new addition this year is the inclusion of Everglades National Park as one of eight official challenge locations, expanding the reach of the removal efforts.
“This year’s competition features the exciting addition of Everglades National Park as one of eight official Florida Python Challenge locations,” organizers stated.
While the hunt is on, registration for the challenge remains open until the final day of the competition, Sunday, July 20. Prospective participants can register and find more information at FLPythonChallenge.org. A $25 registration fee and successful completion of a required online training course are mandatory for participation. For those seeking additional guidance, Training Outposts will be available at each check station from 4-7 p.m., July 11-13, during the opening weekend.
READ: Cracking The Burmese Python Code: New Data Zeroes In On Game-Changing Strategies
The stakes are high, with a total of $25,000 in cash prizes up for grabs. The coveted Ultimate Grand Prize of $10,000 will be awarded to the participant who removes the most pythons during the challenge. Additional cash prizes will be distributed for both the most and longest pythons removed across three categories: novice, professional, and military. Prizes are made possible by generous sponsors and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida and will be awarded after the competition concludes.
This year’s conservation efforts are significantly bolstered by Platinum Level Sponsors—Inversa, Rotary Clubs of Florida, and Mrs. Daphne and Mr. Martin C. Wood III—each contributing $10,000. Gold Level Sponsors, including Bergeron Everglades Foundation, Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands, and The Garcia Companies, have also provided substantial support with $5,000 donations each. All prize money directly supports ongoing conservation initiatives in Florida.
For those inspired to contribute to invasive species removal beyond the challenge, opportunities exist year-round. Burmese pythons can be humanely killed on private lands with landowner permission at any time, requiring no permit or hunting license. The FWC strongly encourages the removal and humane killing of these invasive snakes whenever possible.
Since 2000, over 23,000 Burmese pythons have been removed from Florida. These non-native predators, known for preying on native birds, mammals, and other reptiles, can lay between 50 and 100 eggs at a time, making their removal crucial for the health of the Everglades ecosystem.
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