The results are in — and this year’s Florida Python Challenge™ was one for the books. Nearly 1,000 participants from 30 states and Canada braved the Everglades heat for a 10-day hunt, removing a record 294 invasive Burmese pythons.
Highlights:
- 👑 Taylor Stanberry (Naples) became the first woman to win the $10,000 grand prize, bagging 60 snakes.
- 💼 Pro Category: Donna Kalil took 2nd with 56 pythons, while Kennith Chamberland scored longest snake at 9’8”.
- 🌱 Novice Category: Krista Hoekstra removed 14 pythons, and Michael Marousky wrangled a 15’11” giant.
- 🎖 Military Category: John Southworth (US Army) caught 5, with Jonathan Miller (USAF) landing an 11’2” python.
Since 2017, more than 16,000 pythons have been removed from Florida by contractors and competitions like this one. Every catch is a win for native wildlife and the future of the Everglades.
📍 Learn more and get involved: FLPythonChallenge.org
