39 pythons
November 5th, 2009 by admin
Florida’s first-ever python hunt ended on October 31. A total of 39 pythons were found and killed on state-owned land during the 3 1/2-month long hunt. (A larger number of pythons have been removed from Everglades National Park.)
Most experts agree that the number of pythons now living in the wild in Florida is in the tens of thousands. It is safe to say that killing 39 snakes has not made much of an impact (except, of course, for those 39 individual snakes).
Pythons are here to stay. But with your help we can prevent other non-native reptiles from becoming permanent Florida residents.
State Senator Eleanor Sobel has introduced a bill that would prohibit the possession, import, sale or breeding of several species of large reptiles, including the Burmese python, African rock python, anaconda and Nile monitor (a person who currently possesses one of these reptiles would be allowed to keep the animal for the remainder of that animal’s life). Senate Bill 318 would “turn off the spigot, stopping the flow of dangerous reptiles into the State,” Sen. Sobel said in a press release. “Florida must be proactive and preventative. Other species like anacondas and large lizards, such as Nile monitors, may become the next Burmese python unless we act now.”
You Can Help
The 2010 legislative session begins in March, but important committee work is conducted before the official start date. Please contact your State Senator and State Representative and urge them to support Senator Sobel’s legislation.Click here to find your elected state officials (requires 9-digit ZIP Code).
Visit ARFF’s website to learn more about federal and state efforts to stop the trade in exotic reptiles.