Current:Home > NewsGrand prize winner removed 20 Burmese pythons from the wild in Florida challenge-LoTradeCoin
Grand prize winner removed 20 Burmese pythons from the wild in Florida challenge
View Date:2024-12-23 19:25:55
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — It’s official, the Florida Python Challenge this year has a winner.
The $10,000 grand prize went to Ronald Kiger, who removed 20 Burmese pythons from the Florida Everglades during the 10-day hunt, which was meant to bring awareness to the threat that these pythons pose to the ecosystem. Last year, he was the direct runner-up to the grand prize winner.
Representatives from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Kiger’s win in a Tuesday morning meeting in Duck Key. This year, more than 800 people from 33 states and Canada participated in the challenge, and hunters removed 195 Burmese pythons from the wild.
The rest of the prize money was divided amongst competitors in the contest’s three categories: novice, professional and military. Donna Kalil was one python away from a tie with Kiger. Kalil, a contractor with the South Florida Water Management District, got a $2,500 prize for catching 19 pythons in the professional category.
Also in the professional category, Marcos Rodriguez caught 16 pythons for the prize of $1,500, and Quentin Archie won a $1,000 prize for catching the longest python in this category at 8 feet 11 inches (2.7 meters).
Thomas Hobbs won $2,500 for leading the novice category by catching 16 Burmese pythons, while Dennis Krum caught the longest python in this category and also in the entire competition, at 9 feet 11 inches (3 meters).
Jeff Lince caught five pythons, winning $2,500 in the military category, and Antonio Ramos won $1,000 for catching the longest python in this group at 9 feet 7 inches (2.9 meters).
The challenge occurred in mid-August. Hunters were tasked with humanely killing the Burmese pythons and turning in the carcasses to any of the contest’s three check stations in South Florida.
The challenge wasn’t just meant for hunters to win the share of about $25,000 in prizes. It also served to raise awareness about the dangers of Burmese pythons, like how they affect native snakes, can spread diseases amongst native animals and have high mercury levels that are dangerous for human consumption.
“Over 14,000 pythons have been successfully removed by FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors since 2017,” said Rodney Barreto, chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in a news release. “This collective effort continues to have a direct positive impact on the Everglades and our native wildlife through removal and awareness.”
This year’s competition was a little bit smaller compared to last year. In 2023, more than 1,000 hunters participated and 209 pythons were removed.
Hunters contracted with the state’s wildlife commission and the South Florida Water Management District work year-round to remove the invasive pythons from the wild. A female python can lay about 50 to 100 eggs at a time, which is why the competition is held during hatching season in August. According to the wildlife agency, about 22,000 pythons have been removed from the state since 2000.
veryGood! (7936)
Related
- Worker trapped under rubble after construction accident in Kentucky
- Ex-NBA G League player, former girlfriend to face charges together in woman’s killing in Vegas
- FBI investigating after gas canisters found at deadly New Year's crash in Rochester, New York
- Forest Whitaker’s Ex-Wife Keisha Nash Whitaker’s Cause of Death Revealed
- Burger King's 'Million Dollar Whopper' finalists: How to try and vote on your favorite
- $39 Lululemon Leggings, 70% off Spanx Leggings & More Activewear Finds To Reach Your 2024 Fitness Goals
- As Atlantic City adds more security cameras, 2 men are killed in areas already covered by them
- Thompson and Guest to run for reelection in Mississippi, both confirm as qualifying period opens
- Homes of Chiefs’ quarterback Mahomes and tight end Kelce were broken into last month
- Zvi Zamir, ex-Mossad chief who warned of impending 1973 Mideast war, dies at 98
Ranking
- Justice Department sues to block UnitedHealth Group’s $3.3 billion purchase of Amedisys
- Series of small explosions, no injuries reported after 1.7-magnitude quake in New York
- In 2024, Shapiro faces calls for billions for schools, a presidential election and wary lawmakers
- New Mexico regulators revoke the licenses of 2 marijuana grow operations and levies $2M in fines
- How Jersey Shore's Sammi Sweetheart Giancola's Fiancé Justin May Supports Her on IVF Journey
- Judge rules former clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses must pay $260,000 in fees, costs
- 10-year-old California boy held on suspicion of shooting another child with his father’s gun
- ‘Bachelorette’ Rachel Lindsay’s husband, Bryan Abasolo, files for divorce after 4 years of marriage
Recommendation
-
Mike Tyson employs two trainers who 'work like a dream team' as Jake Paul fight nears
-
Missouri GOP leaders say LGBTQ+ issues will take a back seat to child care, education policy in 2004
-
Off-duty Arkansas officer kills shoplifting suspect who attacked him with a knife, police say
-
Naomi Osaka wins first elite tennis match in return from maternity leave
-
Prominent conservative lawyer Ted Olson, who argued Bush recount and same-sex marriage cases, dies
-
'The Bachelorette' star Rachel Lindsay, husband Bryan Abasolo to divorce after 4 years
-
Australia launches inquiry into why Cabinet documents relating to Iraq war remain secret
-
Missouri governor bans Chinese and Russian companies from buying land near military sites