Burmese Pythons as an Invasive SpeciesAccording to the National Park Service, the initial population of Burmese Pythons that had been introduced into the Everglades was a result of accidental and/or intentional release by pet owners who no longer could care for their exotic pet. While the introduction is troubling, there is now a much larger problem as Burmese Pythons are breeding in the Everglades which increases the number of pythons in Florida even more so.
"Since they were first documented to be established in 2000, pythons have increasingly been found in outlying areas, including Key Largo, Marco Island, the Big Cypress, and other wildlife management areas." (National Park Service, 2016)
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Concerns Over Python PresenceThese pythons pose serious threats to the ecosystem of the Everglades as they prey on native wildlife, compete with other predators, and threaten endangered plants and animals. For example, a Burmese Python caught in Key Largo ate an endangered species of wood rat.
As mentioned before, the spread of these pythons is also quite troubling as they are found to be spreading west towards Naples, FL. The presence and spreading of this species has become such an issue in Florida that they are now considered a conditional species and no longer can be owned as pets.
"They are also federally listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as an Injurious Species under the Lacey Act which prevents the importation of pythons into the United States and also prohibits the snakes from being transported across state lines." (FFWCC, 2016)
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Python Removal Efforts:
As Burmese Pythons continue to be a problem within Florida's Everglades National Park, the National Park Service and other wildlife organizations seek ways to track, study and even remove Burmese Pythons from the areas.
Everglades National Park has trained and authorized individuals that are responsible for removing pythons from the area.
The chart to the right represents python removal efforts between 2000-2012, which does not include the beginning of the Python Challenge.
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The Python Challenge:
In 2013, for the first time ever, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission held a "Python Challenge", which aimed at getting hunters to competitively remove Burmese Pythons from the Everglades.
Now a yearly competition, the Python Challenge's intent is to
encourage the continued removal of these snakes by the public, and highlight the importance of responsible pet ownership so nonnative species such as Burmese pythons are not released into the wild. (Python Challenge, 2016) |