Everglades National Park is seeking help in catching as many Burmese pythons that are slithering around the park as possible/Florida Fish and Game

With hopes of removing more non-native Burmese pythons from Everglades National Park, the park is working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to attract paid contractors to catch the big snakes.

The partnership will expand the park’s Python Removal Authorized Agent Program by allowing paid FWC contractors to remove pythons from the park. The expansion will triple the maximum allowed number of participants in the park from 40 to 120, allow FWC contractors to use firearms or other humane methods to euthanize pythons in the wild, and qualify additional trained Park Service personnel to live capture and turn in pythons. The purpose of this controlled invasive species management program remains to remove invasive pythons and other invasive species from the wild and advance research in methods to control pythons.

The park is working closely with the FWC on the terms of the agreement that would allow FWC contractors to engage in python removals in the park potentially as early as July.

“We are excited to partner with FWC on invasive species management and are certain this partnership will increase python removals within our park,” said Everglades Superintendent Pedro Ramos. “We worked hard in planning this expansion to ensure it won’t harm the park and its exceptional resources.”

To that end, the park and the FWC will hold a required Everglades National Park orientation for the contractors so they fully understand the park’s program and rules they must follow prior to beginning removals within the park.      

Burmese pythons pose a significant threat to the Everglades ecosystem. Along with state, federal, tribal, and local partners, Everglades National Park and the FWC have invested millions of dollars and countless hours in developing and testing ways to remove pythons from the Everglades. While this research has improved knowledge of the python population, eliminating pythons using current technology is impossible.

Search and removal by trained individuals remains the best method to remove pythons. The park used volunteers for removal in the past, and while it will continue to do so, the addition of FWC contractors will allow greater numbers of skilled people to engage in removals than ever before.

"While hunting remains prohibited by law in Everglades National Park,” said Superintendent Pedro Ramos, “we believe the expansion of the program to include allowing FWC contractors to remove pythons in the park will be welcomed by concerned citizens that want to play a role in helping with this significant problem."    

The FWC designed the Python Removal Contractor Program to further engage qualified individuals with python management efforts. The contractors are paid for their efforts to survey for and, when possible, capture Burmese pythons in specific areas that will soon include Everglades National Park. They may also respond to survey requests in areas where pythons have been reported. 

Burmese pythons became established in Florida as a result of escaped or released pets. People should never release non-native pets in the wild in Florida. It is illegal and can negatively impact native wildlife and habitat. The FWC has an Exotic Pet Amnesty Program that allows nonnative pets to be surrendered without penalty.