DUCK KEY, Fla. — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is celebrating what it calls a successful Python Challenge and announcing its 2024 winners.

This year, 857 participants from 33 states and Canada collectively removed 195 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades and South Florida as part of the competition.

The grand prize winner was Ronald Kiger, who removed 20 Burmese pythons, winning $10,000.

“The success of the 2024 Florida Python Challenge was a collective achievement, made possible by the contributions of more than 800 participants, the dedicated efforts of our staff and the invaluable support from our partners,” said Rodney Barreto, FWC Chairman. “Over 14,000 pythons have been successfully removed by FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors since 2017.

“This collective effort continues to have a direct positive impact on the Everglades and our native wildlife through removal and awareness.”

The snake-gathering competition raises awareness about invasive species in Florida and their impacts. The annual competition also encourages people to get directly involved in Everglades conservation through invasive species removal, FWC officials said.

Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and negatively impact native species. They are found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem in South Florida, where they prey on birds, mammals and other reptiles.

A female Burmese python can lay 50 to 100 eggs at a time. Since 2000, more than 22,000 wild Burmese pythons have been removed from the state of Florida and reported to FWC.

2024 Florida Python Challenge™ Prize Winners: