Florida’s battle against invasive Burmese pythons reached a new milestone in July 2025 as the state hosted its annual Florida Python Challenge, drawing hundreds of hopefuls from across North America. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), this year’s 10-day competition saw a record-breaking 934 participants from 30 states and Canada descend on South Florida, all united by a common goal: to help restore balance to the Everglades by removing as many of the destructive snakes as possible.
The stakes were high—and not just for Florida’s native wildlife. The event, organized by the FWC and its partners, offered a unique hands-on opportunity for the public to get involved in conservation efforts. It also dangled a tempting carrot: substantial cash prizes for those who could catch the most or longest pythons. The competition reached a fever pitch as participants fanned out across eight official locations, including, for the first time ever, the iconic Everglades National Park.
By the end of the challenge, the results spoke for themselves. A record 294 Burmese pythons were safely removed from South Florida’s wetlands—an achievement celebrated by officials and wildlife advocates alike. The top prize, a $10,000 check, went to Taylor Stanberry, a Florida woman who managed to catch an astonishing 60 pythons over the course of the competition. Stanberry, who runs a private exotic animal rescue in South Florida, was photographed beaming as she held a massive python aloft, her victory immortalized on the FWC’s social media pages and during a ceremony in Havana, Florida. As reported by TODAY.com, Stanberry’s feat not only earned her the title of ultimate grand prize winner but also highlighted the critical role that citizen scientists play in tackling Florida’s python problem.
Other participants were recognized for their efforts as well. In the professional category, Donna Kalil took home $2,500 for removing 56 pythons, while Hannah Gray earned $1,500 as runner-up with 22 pythons. Kennith Chamberland snagged the $1,000 prize for the longest python in the professional category, catching a specimen that measured 9 feet, 8 inches. The novice category saw Krista Hoekstra win $2,500 for 14 removals, and Michael Marousky earned $1,000 for capturing a python nearly 16 feet long—an impressive catch by any standard. Military personnel were also honored, with John Southworth (US Army) and Matthew Jamison (US Air Force) recognized for their successes, and Jonathan Miller (US Air Force) awarded for catching the longest python in the military division.
Rodney Barreto, FWC Chairman, praised the collective effort, saying, “The 2025 Florida Python Challenge can go in the books as a success thanks to the hard work of staff, generous support from our partners, continued leadership of Governor DeSantis and involvement of the many competitors in this year’s event.” He continued, “The record number of invasive pythons removed from the Everglades during this year’s competition is a big win for native wildlife. With over 1,400 pythons removed during all Florida Python Challenge events to date and over 16,000 pythons removed by FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors since 2017, collective efforts are the key to continue addressing the threats Burmese pythons pose to Florida’s native wildlife and ecosystems.”
“Congratulations to all of the 2025 Florida Python Challenge winners! Every invasive python that is removed makes a difference for Florida’s environment and its native wildlife,” added “Alligator Ron” Bergeron, a member of the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board. He emphasized the importance of ongoing cooperation, stating, “The great partnership between the South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is critical as we continue to work together to protect this national treasure for generations to come.”
The inclusion of Everglades National Park as an official competition location was especially significant. Pedro Ramos, superintendent of the park, remarked, “The record number of pythons removed highlights the importance of citizen engagement as we tackle one of the toughest conservation challenges of our time, invasive exotic species of animals and plants. By collaborating closely with our partners at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the South Florida Water Management District, we are making meaningful progress toward preserving the Everglades and its diverse wildlife for generations to come.”
Roger Young, FWC Executive Director, echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude for the “continued support and much-appreciated collaboration with our partners at the South Florida Water Management District and the National Park Service.” He noted that this year’s expansion into Everglades National Park “provided an exciting new opportunity for competitors while helping to boost public awareness about invasive Burmese pythons and how people can help.”
The Burmese python, native to Southeast Asia, has become one of Florida’s most notorious invasive species. First established in the wild decades ago—likely due to escaped or released pets—the species now thrives in and around the Everglades ecosystem. These snakes are prolific breeders; a single female can lay between 50 and 100 eggs at a time, making population control a daunting task. According to the FWC, Burmese pythons prey on birds, mammals, and other reptiles, posing a significant threat to the region’s biodiversity. Since 2000, more than 23,000 wild Burmese pythons have been removed from Florida and reported to the commission, a figure that underscores the scale of the problem.
But it’s not just during the annual competition that citizens can get involved. The FWC encourages ongoing public participation in python removal efforts. With proper landowner permission, anyone may humanely remove and kill pythons and other nonnative reptiles on private property and on 32 FWC-managed lands throughout South Florida. These year-round efforts, combined with the high-profile Florida Python Challenge, have resulted in over 16,000 pythons being removed by FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors since 2017.
For those curious about what happens to the snakes after they’re caught, the competition’s website offers a detailed FAQ. Most are humanely euthanized, and some are studied by scientists seeking to better understand the species’ impact and biology. The hope is that, over time, these collective efforts will give Florida’s native wildlife a fighting chance.
This year’s record-breaking numbers and enthusiastic turnout suggest that public engagement is growing—and that, perhaps, the tide is slowly turning in Florida’s fight against invasive pythons. As the Everglades’ future hangs in the balance, those who braved the swamps in July 2025 can take pride in knowing they’ve made a real difference—one snake at a time.
