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80 pythons submitted during the 2020 Python Bowl!
python coiled up in grass

Jan. 25, 2020

Competition to remove invasive pythons from Florida’s Everglades is a big success

 

Participants in the Florida Python Challenge™ 2020 Python Bowl removed 80 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades while simultaneously helping to raise awareness about this important conservation issue. Today the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District announced the results and winners of the Python Removal Competition at the 2020 Python Bowl award ceremony at the Super Bowl Live event in Miami.

Here are the official Florida Python Challenge™ 2020 Python Bowl results:

Most Pythons 

  • Pro grand prize winner Mike Kimmel won a TRACKER 570 Off Road ATV for removing eight pythons.
  • Rookie grand prize winner Kristian Hernandez won a TRACKER 570 Off Road ATV for removing six pythons.
  • Pro second prize winner Lindsey Floyd won $750 for removing six pythons.
  • Rookie second prize winner Ethan O’Neil won $750 for removing four pythons.
  • Active service member or veteran winner Barry Offenburger (U.S. Army) won $1,000 for removing three pythons.

Longest Python 

  • Pro grand prize winner Tom Rahill won $2,000 for a 12-foot, 7.3-inch
  • Rookie grand prize winner Kristian Hernandez won $2,000 for an 11-foot, 6.5-inch python.
  • Pro second prize winner Amy Siewe won $750 for a 10-foot, 7-inch python.
  • Rookie second prize winner Dave Mucci won $750 for an 11-foot, .08-inch python.
  • Active service member or veteran winner Dave Mucci (U.S. Air Force) won $1,000 for an 11-foot, .08-inch python.

Heaviest Python 

  • Pro grand prize winner Tom Rahill won $2,000 for a 62-pound python.
  • Rookie grand prize winner Dave Mucci won $2,000 for a 49.4-pound python.
  • Pro second prize winner Dustin Crum won $750 for a 9-pound python.
  • Rookie second prize winner Kristian Hernandez won $750 for a 1-pound python.
  • Active service member or veteran winner Dave Mucci (U.S. Air Force) won $1,000 for a 49.4-pound python.

More than 750 people from 20 states registered to take part in the 10-day competition to remove Burmese pythons, which are decimating native wildlife populations in the Everglades. Everyone who registered passed a mandatory online training. Another 550 people took part in hands-on, optional safe-capture trainings that taught them how to identify, locate, and safely and humanely capture Burmese pythons.

“The Miami Super Bowl Host Committee is very proud to have worked with these partners to bring attention to the threat that invasive species pose to The Everglades,” said Rodney Barreto, Chairman of the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee. “There are many men and women who work diligently every day to combat the harmful impacts of nonnative species and it is imperative that we are all educated on the effects of the Burmese pythons to our native wildlife.”

“Having more than 550 people come out to take part in optional in-person trainings is a testament to the public’s commitment to helping conserve Florida’s precious natural resources,” said FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton. “Public support is critical as is the strong leadership of Gov. DeSantis and the support of our partners and sponsors including the South Florida Water Management District, the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee, the University of Florida, Bass Pro Shops and the Bergeron Everglades Museum and Wildlife Foundation.”

“More than 750 registrants joined Florida’s ramped-up efforts to remove harmful pythons from America’s Everglades as part of the Florida Python Challenge™ 2020 Python Bowl,” said South Florida Water Management District Executive Director Drew Bartlett. “The national and international attention around Super Bowl LIV brought incredible public awareness to the danger invasive Burmese pythons pose and the importance of Everglades restoration. Congratulations to all the winners, and a big thank you to Gov. DeSantis, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee and everyone who participated in this important conservation effort.”

 In addition to the Python Challenge™, there are several ways the general public can continue to help control nonnative species such as Burmese pythons. Anyone can hunt pythons any time on private lands with landowner permission and on 22 public lands throughout south Florida. People can also take part in ongoing Python Patrol trainings to learn more about how to identify and capture Burmese pythons in the wild.  Learn more at MyFWC.com/Python.

The public can also help control invasive species by reporting nonnative fish and wildlife to the FWC’s Invasive Species Hotline at 888-IVE-GOT1 (888-483-4681), by reporting sightings online at IveGot1.org or by downloading the IveGot1 smartphone app.

Bass Pro Shops provided cash prizes and the two grand prize Tracker 570 off-road ATVs. Additional cash prizes and and financial support were provided by the Bergeron Everglades Museum and Wildlife Foundation. The Florida Python Challenge™ 2020 Python Bowl was hosted by the FWC, SFWMD, the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida and the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee.

For more information about the Python Challenge™ 2020 Python Bowl visit FLPythonChallenge.org.

Photos and video available at: FLPythonChallenge.org