Calling all conservation enthusiasts and adventurous individuals! Registration is now open for the 2025 Florida Python Challenge, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to preserving the Everglades ecosystem while competing for a share of $25,000 in prizes.
Hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District, this year’s 10-day competition boasts an exciting new addition: Everglades National Park will join as one of the eight official hunting locations.
The annual event aims to raise crucial awareness about the detrimental impact of nonnative species and actively remove invasive Burmese pythons, which pose a significant threat to the native wildlife of the Everglades. The participant who removes the most pythons will be awarded the Ultimate Grand Prize of $10,000.
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Registration for the 2025 challenge officially opened today and will remain open until the competition kicks off on Friday, July 11 at 12:01 a.m., concluding on Sunday, July 20 at 5 p.m. Interested individuals can visit FLPythonChallenge.org to register, complete the mandatory online training, explore optional training opportunities, and access valuable resources about Burmese pythons and the delicate Everglades ecosystem.
The website also provides information for planning a trip to South Florida to participate in this vital conservation effort.
“Every Burmese python removed from our iconic Florida Everglades means one less invasive snake negatively impacting our native wildlife,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “This annual event encourages the public to get involved in removing nonnative species while raising awareness worldwide about invasive species and what people can do to help. The Florida Python Challenge™ is made possible thanks to the continued support from Governor Ron DeSantis and our partners with the South Florida Water Management District and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.”
“The Python Challenge is a great way to get people directly involved in the protection and stewardship of the Everglades,” South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Member “Alligator Ron” Bergeron said. “We continue to advance Everglades restoration efforts thanks to the support of Governor Ron DeSantis, and we’ll keep doing everything we can to protect this important ecosystem. Pythons disrupt the natural food chain and prey on native wildlife that depend on the Everglades. Removing pythons from this ecosystem is critical to the survival of the species that call this area home.”
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The inclusion of Everglades National Park as a competition location marks a significant step in the collaborative efforts to manage invasive species.
“We’re excited to join our partners in the State of Florida for this year’s Florida Python Challenge,” said Pedro Ramos, superintendent of Everglades National Park. “For years, we’ve worked alongside the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the South Florida Water Management District, and others to manage pythons and other invasive species while educating the public about their impact on the Everglades. This event marks another milestone in that collaboration as we include Everglades National Park in the Challenge.”
Thanks to the generous support of sponsors and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, in addition to the ultimate grand prize, awards will also be given in professional, novice, and military categories.
Platinum Level Sponsors Inversa and Rotary Clubs of Florida have each donated $10,000, while Gold Level Sponsors Bergeron Everglades Foundation, Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands, and The Garcia Companies have contributed $5,000 each to bolster conservation efforts through the event.
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The 2024 Florida Python Challenge™ saw significant success, with participants removing 195 invasive Burmese pythons. Cumulatively, all Florida Python Challenge™ competitions have resulted in the removal of 1,112 of these nonnative constrictors. Last year’s event drew 857 registered participants from 33 states and Canada.
Beyond the 10-day competition, the FWC offers year-round python removal opportunities on 32 FWC-managed lands. Furthermore, Burmese pythons can be humanely killed on private lands at any time with landowner permission, without the need for a permit or hunting license. The FWC strongly encourages the public to actively participate in the removal of these invasive reptiles whenever possible.
Don’t miss this chance to make a real difference in protecting Florida’s unique Everglades ecosystem and potentially win exciting prizes. Register now for the 2025 Florida Python Challenge™ at FLPythonChallenge.org and become a part of this crucial conservation initiative.
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