COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Python Challenge saw 223 Burmese pythons removed from the Everglades in July, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The 10-day competition had more than 600 people register to take part in the event., according to the FWC.
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223 pythons removed! Kudos to participants of the 2021 Florida Python Challenge® for removing 223 invasive Burmese...
Posted by MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife on Wednesday, August 4, 2021
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Multiple python nests were also removed during the competition.
The contest had multiple prizes for both novice and professional competitors. The prize for longest python is $1,500 and the prize for most pythons removed is $2,500, according to the python challenge website.
Charlie Dachton was the winner of the $10,000 ultimate prize after removing 41 pythons. The FWC said two contestants each caught a 15-foot python.
The Burmese python is an invasive species in Florida and is a threat to native wildlife in the Everglades, according to the FWC.