Florida Fish and Wildlife: 2016 Python Challenge Wraps Up With Success

By  //  February 28, 2016

largest python was 15 feet in length

With participants turning in 106 snakes, the 2016 Python Challenge™ is a success on many levels. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced the results and winners of the Python Removal Competition at the 2016 Python Challenge™ award ceremony in Davie. (MyFWC image)
With participants turning in 106 snakes, the 2016 Python Challenge™ is a success on many levels. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced the results and winners of the Python Removal Competition at the 2016 Python Challenge™ award ceremony in Davie. (MyFWC image)

With participants turning in 106 snakes, the 2016 Python Challenge™ is a success on many levels.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced the results and winners of the Python Removal Competition at the 2016 Python Challenge™ award ceremony in Davie.

“We are pleased with the success of this year’s Python Challenge,” said FWC Commissioner Ron Bergeron.

“Each python that is removed makes a difference for our native wildlife, and the increased public awareness will help us keep people involved as we continue managing invasive species in Florida.”

More than 1,000 people from 29 states registered to take part in the month-long competition to remove Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem.

LONGEST PYTHONS

Grand Prize: $3,000 to the team led by Bill Booth. They got a 15 ft. python weighing nearly 125 lbs.

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Second Place: $1,000 to the team led by Paul Shannon with their 14 ft. 0.9 in. python.

Individual winners:
Grand Prize: $1000 – Daniel Moniz for his 13 ft, 8.7 in. python

Second Place: $750 – Jack Merwin for his 13 ft. 0.77 in. python

MOST PYTHONS

Grand Prize: $5,000 Bill Booth’s team. They removed 33 pythons

Second Place: $1,500 Paul Shannon’s team. They removed 9 pythons

Individual winners:
Grand Prize: $3,500: Daniel Moniz for removing 13 pythons

Second Place: $750:Steve Daskam for removing 8 pythons

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