Florida's python hunt yields 41 snakes so far

Florida's python hunt yields 41 of the invasive snakes so far; ends in less than 2 weeks

Published On: Feb 01 2013 10:59:40 AM EST   Updated On: Feb 01 2013 02:21:42 PM EST
Python
MIAMI -

More than three dozen Burmese pythons have been hunted during Florida's "Python Challenge" that ends in less than two weeks.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Friday that 41 of the invasive snakes have been killed in the Everglades since the competition began Jan. 12.

University of Florida researchers examine each snake hoping to learn more about the elusive species.

No one knows for sure how many pythons live in South Florida. Wildlife officials say eradicating pythons from the Everglades was never the goal of the monthlong challenge. Instead, they hoped to raise awareness about the snake's threat to native wildlife and the fragile Everglades ecosystem. The snake faces both state and federal bans.

More than 1,000 people signed up for the challenge that ends Feb. 10.

  • Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.