The annual Python Challenge, aimed at reducing the invasive Burmese python population in the Florida Everglades, kicked off Aug. 9 and wraps up Aug. 18. It may seem like a well-intentioned effort to protect native wildlife, but as a professional python trapper formerly contracted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), I feel certain the event causes more harm than good.
One of the primary arguments against the Python Challenge is its inefficacy. Despite the hype and media coverage, the number of pythons actually captured during the event is relatively low. In August 2023, 209 pythons were caught during the challenge, whereas in July alone, professional contractors with the FWC managed to capture 307 pythons. The disparity in these numbers highlights the greater effectiveness of skilled contractors compared to the challenge participants.
Another major concern is the harm caused to native wildlife. The challenge attracts many amateurs, who, despite their enthusiasm, often lack the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively and humanely capture pythons. This lack of expertise can lead to significant collateral damage. High traffic on roads during the event increases the incidence of roadkill, with many non-target snakes and other wildlife becoming unintended victims. Out of about 1,000 participants, less than 100 will turn in even a single python, but they’ll kill countless native snakes like the green, brown and banded water snakes with their tires.
Professional contractors like me are reluctant to participate, further highlighting the challenge’s flaws. Out of 100 professional contractors, only a handful are willing to compete in the challenge. This reluctance stems from several issues, primarily involving the FWC. The FWC has a reputation for making constant mistakes regarding submitted pythons, including mix-ups, “administrative errors” and wrongful claims about euthanasia. These errors undermine the credibility and effectiveness of the challenge. Additionally, contractors find the chaos brought by the influx of 1,000 participants disruptive to their usual hunting process, making it less efficient and more hazardous for both hunters and wildlife. All that to be said, many contractors won’t hunt at all while the challenge is underway.
Most contractors wish that the Python Challenge would disappear, as we clearly see its counterproductive nature. Reducing the activity levels of the most skilled group, the contractors, while simultaneously causing more harm to native populations through increased roadkill, makes the Python Challenge a counterproductive event. Native alligator, turtle and bird nests are disturbed, native snakes are wrongfully submitted as pythons, and far more roadkill snakes are observed during the 10-day event. The very goal of the challenge — to protect native wildlife and control the python population — is undermined by the methods employed and the consequences they generate.
Furthermore, the influx of participants can disrupt the delicate ecosystem of the Everglades. The increased human activity, noise and presence in previously undisturbed areas can stress native species and disrupt their natural behaviors. The ethical implications of such a disruptive event are considerable, raising questions about the morality of prioritizing an invasive species hunt over the well-being of an entire ecosystem. Especially an event with such minimal yield. We don’t offer the same type of challenge for iguanas, feral cats, feral pigs or many other accessible invasives, which raises questions about the selective focus and the ethics behind the Python Challenge.
Rather than relying on an annual spectacle, more effective and sustainable methods should be pursued. Professional wildlife management teams, trained in python detection and removal, could operate at an elite level to minimize collateral damage and maximize removal of the target species. As with most things, the private sector would do this far better than any government agency, especially with the current FWC python leadership in place. Public education campaigns could raise awareness about the issue without causing unnecessary harm to native wildlife.
In conclusion, while the Python Challenge may draw attention to the invasive species problem, its overall impact is more harmful than beneficial. A shift toward more scientifically sound and ethically responsible methods, combined with better education of participants, is crucial for the long-term health of the Everglades ecosystem.
Brandon Rahe, a nature lover and Florida native residing in St. Augustine, was a contractor in the FWC’s python program.
