Florida’s Python Hunt Scores a Record Haul
This year’s Florida Python Challenge set a new record, with nearly 300 Burmese pythons removed from the wild, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The annual 10-day event, held from July 11 to 20, drew 934 participants from 30 states and Canada, all aiming to reduce the population of one of Florida’s most destructive invasive species.
The top prize of $10,000 went to Taylor Stanberry of Naples, who captured an impressive 60 pythons—more than any other competitor. A first-time participant and self-described “venomous keeper,” Stanberry’s success was highlighted in reports from NBC Miami and the Naples Daily News. Photos of her with her catches were also featured by the Palm Beach Post.
Other standout performers included returning competitor Donna Kalil, last year’s professional winner, who increased her total to 56 snakes this year. In the novice category, Krista Hoekstra led with 14 pythons, while John Southworth took the military division with five.
Size also mattered in the competition. The largest python caught measured nearly 16 feet and was snagged by novice hunter Michael Marousky. Other impressive captures included an 11-foot-2-inch python in the military division and a nearly 10-foot specimen in the professional category.
The Python Challenge is part of a broader effort to control the spread of Burmese pythons, which have devastated native wildlife in the Everglades and surrounding areas. Since paid competitions were introduced in 2017, removals have increased significantly. Over 23,500 pythons have been taken from Florida’s ecosystems since 2000, with more than 16,000 captured by contractors in just the past seven years.
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