Python captured in Palmetto Bay on Nov. 26, 2012. (Source: CBS4)
South Florida Crime
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Over 1,000 people put their name to paper to hunt Burmese pythons in the Everglades, but few have managed to capture or kill the invasive snakes.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission said Friday that just 30 pythons have been killed in the competition that started January 12 and has attracted people like Senator Bill Nelson.
Wildlife officials said eradicating pythons from the Everglades wasn’t the purpose of the hunt, rather, they hoped to raise awareness about the fragile Everglades ecosystem and the snake’s threat to the area and native wildlife.
Researchers said no one knows exactly how many pythons live in the Everglades, but they said the hunt is helping them collect information about the pythons’ habits.
The Python Challenge will come to an end on February 10.
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