Conservancy of Southwest Florida sets record with over 6,300 pounds of Burmese Pythons removed in landmark season
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has removed a record 6,300 pounds of Burmese pythons this season, bringing their total to over 40,000 pounds since 2013. Using radio telemetry and "scout snakes," they target breeding females, preventing an estimated 20,000 eggs from hatching. This effort aims to protect native wildlife from the devastating impact of this invasive apex predator.
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The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has announced a record-breaking season in its ongoing battle against the invasive Burmese python, capturing and removing 6,300 pounds of snakes from a 200-square-mile area stretching from Naples through the Western Everglades. This latest haul pushes the organization's total to over 20 tons—more than 40,000 pounds—of Burmese pythons removed since the program's inception in 2013.Wildlife biologist and Science Project Manager Ian Bartoszek, who leads the Conservancy's python program, highlighted the significance of this milestone: 'Removing more than 40,000 pounds of snake, carried out through some of Florida's unrelenting wildlife habitats, is a heavy-lifting assignment. But, through years of dedicated research, we've developed science-based methods to track this apex predator more effectively and mitigate its damage to our native wildlife population .'The Conservancy's innovative approach used radio telemetry and tagged male 'scout snakes' to locate reproductive females, particularly during the November-to-April breeding season. This targeted strategy has prevented an estimated 20,000 python eggs from hatching since 2013, a critical step in curbing the species' explosive population growth.Burmese pythons, which can reach lengths over 18 feet and weights exceeding 200 pounds, have devastated native wildlife in South Florida, preying on more than 85 species including deer, bobcats, rabbits, and birds. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) classifies the python as a prohibited species, noting its established range from just south of Lake Okeechobee to Key Largo and Collier County.Rob Moher, President and CEO of the Conservancy, emphasized the broader impact: 'The python team's work of reducing the local population of the invasive snake allows our native wildlife safer conditions to recover.' The Conservancy also collaborates with organizations like the USGS, University of Florida , and South Florida Water Management District, and relies on private philanthropy and grants for funding.With the annual Florida Python Challenge approaching (July 11–20), the state continues to encourage public participation in python removal efforts, offering year-round opportunities to help protect Florida's unique ecosystem.
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