Florida Python Challenge Crowns Top Participants, $10,000 Awarded
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission announced the winners of the 2026 Florida Python Challenge, with one participant winning $10,000 for catching 96 snakes.
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, August 5, 2026 —
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced the results of the 2026 Florida Python Challenge. One participant has been awarded $10,000 for their efforts in the competition, having successfully captured 96 Burmese pythons.
The annual Florida Python Challenge is an initiative aimed at engaging the public in the removal of invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem. These large constrictors are not native to Florida and pose a significant threat to native wildlife through predation and competition for resources.
Details regarding the identity of the participant who won the $10,000 prize were not immediately available. The competition encourages participants to register and undertake training to safely and humanely capture pythons. Successful captures are then verified by the FWC.
The FWC utilizes the Python Challenge as a method to increase the number of pythons removed from the wild, while also raising public awareness about the invasive species issue in South Florida. The competition often attracts participants from across the state and beyond, all contributing to conservation efforts.
Further information on the overall number of pythons captured during the 2026 challenge and other participant recognitions was not provided in the announcement.
Story summarized from the original created by Josh.Frigerio@fox.com (Josh Frigerio) on www.fox13news.com, see more information here.
