South Florida - Friday October 21, 2022: Nearly 1,000 participants from 32 states, Canada and Latvia came together to remove hundreds of Burmese pythons from south Florida as part of the 2022 Florida Python Challenge.
Participants removed 231 invasive Burmese pythons during the 10-day competition that was created to increase awareness about invasive species and the threats they pose to Florida’s ecology.
Matthew Concepcion removed 28 Burmese pythons, winning the $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize courtesy of the Bergeron Everglades Foundation.
“I’m thrilled to award the Ultimate Grand Prize today to Matthew Concepcion," said South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Member “Alligator Ron” Bergeron. "Our python hunters are passionate about what they do and care very much about Florida’s precious environment.
Dustin Crumb won the $1,500 grand prize for capturing the longest python which measured 11 feet, 24-inches.
“Every one of the pythons removed as part of the Challenge is one less preying on our native birds, mammals and reptiles," said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. "This is a win for the Everglades and a win for the people of Florida.”
The annual competition encourages people to get directly involved in Everglades conservation through invasive species removal. This year, the Bergeron Everglades Foundation provided the $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize while Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands provided prizes to the winners in the active-duty military and veteran category. The Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida and Cynthia Drollinger provided the additional prizes.
Visit FlPythonChallenge.org. for more information.