2024 Florida Python Challenge Begins

The 2024 Florida Python Challenge, which runs from August 9 to August 18, is an annual event aimed at removing invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades. Organized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the challenge engages hundreds of participants from around the globe to capture as many pythons as possible, with over $25,000 in prizes. This event not only helps manage the python population but also raises public awareness about the ecological threat these snakes pose. Participants range from novices to professionals, with notable figures like celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and rocker Ozzy Osbourne having taken part in the past. The challenge highlights the importance of addressing invasive species to protect Florida's unique ecosystems.