Python Hunt Under Way in Fla. Everglades

Permit Holders Allowed to Euthanize Snakes in Effort to Wipe Out Growing Non-native Population

(CBS/AP)  A program to eradicate pythons from the Florida Everglades is beginning.

Friday is the first day herpetology experts with a permit will be allowed to search for and euthanize the pythons, which are not native to the Everglades.

The number of pythons in South Florida has exploded over the past decade as pet owners released their snakes when they grew too large, reports CBS station WFOR in Miami. It's unclear how many pythons are prowling in the wild across South Florida, but state wildlife officials estimate there are at least tens of thousands.

Permit holders are required to provide a photo and the location of each captured python. Wildlife officials will then study that information as well as the snake's size and stomach contents. They hope to learn more about the spread of the species. The initial program runs through Oct. 31.

Officials had previously said that about 10 hunters would have a permit. They will not be able to use firearms or traps to catch the pythons.

Commission spokeswoman Pat Behnke says state officials are concerned the problem will continue to grow and they want to prevent pythons from traveling any farther north, WFOR reports.

"They reproduce 50 to 100 eggs when they lay the eggs. They have the ability to withstand different temperatures so there's a possibility they could move north. So now is the time to get started on this and try to prevent it before it becomes even a bigger problem," explained Behnke.

The first phase of the python hunting program will last about three months.

"We are asking them when they do find the pythons that they must destroy them and then we ask that they collect data for us: location, weight, stomach contents and so on, so we can start compiling a database," explained Behnke.

After the first phase, state officials will look at the results and consider expanding the hunt to include more trappers. The hunters will not get a bounty for killing pythons, but they will be able to sell the skin and meat, WFOR reports.

Experts say pythons mainly threaten wildlife, but the issue was thrust into the spotlight earlier this month when an eight-foot pet python killed a two year old in the child's house in Sumter County.

[dixxson]

I live in lou ky and found a hole in my back yard big enough to stick my boot toe in. It seems to end.
What is that Gophers?
Do snakes Burrow?
I live in Town, came home from work one day, and there was This "Huge" Black Bird in a tree in my neighbor's back yard.
I stayed outside the garage a long time just staring at it!
I thought anything can happen if a Bird gets sick, he just comes "Down!
I work on the RR Trains, Seen Bald Eagles often!
Saw a Golden Eagle once on the Hiwy median!
I thought no way a bird like that can Get off the ground!
This bird looked bigger to me!
He finally swept towards the ground as in attack mode!
I came around back to see and he was gone!

[ladypirate2]

A few years ago I had a cousin who lived about a mile from the edge of the glades. She was afraid to let her little girl outside to play by herself because every few days someone in their neighborhood would find either a snake or a gator in their yard. It's time they were doing something about them!

[LCCLYDE]

Walter will be impossible to replace and greatly missed.

[iluvsoho1]

I live in southeast Alabama in Headland. I already have one in my back yard. I've seen it and have seen the HUGE holes it lives in. I called a wild life person and he could not find it. So, he left. I'm concerned for my two German Shepherds that will soon be outside living in a fenced area not far from those HUGE holes. The HUGE holes are under the large fig tree. The only thing I know to do is destroy the fig tree, leaving his habitat open and take the hose and just pour water down the holes. I really need someone with a shot gun standing near by to shoot the thing when it emerges from one of those HUGE holes. The wild life person said call him when I saw it again. sure, I'm gonna tell this thing to "wait" for this guy to come all the way from Eufaula, Alabama, in order to get him, when he does emerge form the hole. Edith Porter

[lyndar2]

Okay, Ma, I'm going snake hunting. Not taking a gun or trap...they're just gonna let me reach out and pick them up.

[jankebenzone]

Good lord,wildlife officals estimate there are tens of thousands of phythons in southern Florida. How can anyone living near the wild feel safe, esp with children? Secondly, what kind of weirdo would keep a snake as a pet?

[kerry4ever]

This whole research idea is silly. Why do you have to open their stomachs to see what is in there? I can tell you already. Rats, birds, baby crocs, snakes, anything edible that crawls or moves. And why tie the hunters hands behind their backs? Would it not be better for the researchers to do some hunting themselves, at the extreme area of the pythons, and that would also give them an idea of how far they have spread. Instead they want to do their comfortable research to tell us what we already know.

[bptdude]

hmmmm

tens of thousand of snakes reproducing rapidly.

ten hunters, no guns or traps.

program only lasting ten months.

um, so why is this a big "Python Hunt" ?

and no mention of the gators that are competing, and losing?

[Yeah-Me]

http://cellar.org/iotd.php?threadid=9308

[rrozsa]

How are they supposed to kill them without firearms or traps? I wish it gave more detail. Are they supposed to sneak up on them and jab them with needles?

[mswolfestock]

Send that cat-killing *B*I*T*C*H* Cheyenne Cherry down there.

[Thalia-9]

by Questionews July 17, 2009 10:16 AM EDT
"Permit Holders Allowed to Euthanize Snakes"
This should give PETA something to focus on.

The permit holders are the hunters in the program - not the snake owners:


"Permit holders are required to provide a photo and the location of each captured python. Wildlife officials will then study that information as well as the snake's size and stomach contents. They hope to learn more about the spread of the species. The initial program runs through Oct. 31."

[Thalia-9]

by Questionews July 17, 2009 10:16 AM EDT
"Permit Holders Allowed to Euthanize Snakes"
This should give PETA something to focus on.

The permit holders are the hunters in the program - not the snake owners:


"Permit holders are required to provide a photo and the location of each captured python. Wildlife officials will then study that information as well as the snake's size and stomach contents. They hope to learn more about the spread of the species. The initial program runs through Oct. 31."

[mswolfestock]

These snake hunters get the skin and the meat. I'm okay with the skin, it would probably make some nice boots, purses, belts, etc. But exactly who is going to buy and eat the snake meat? I don't think I'd feed it to my dogs, much less eat it myself. The whole idea of eating boa constrictor is making me feel kind of icky.

Although I think I read somewhere that rattlesnake meat "tastes like chicken." Have any of you brave souls out there eaten snakes?

Sounds kind of funny now that I think of it ---

"Hey Dave, you wanna bring the wife over for barbequed snake?"
"Sure Bob, I'll have Jenny bring some potato salad."

LOL!!!!!!!

[displeased]

We used to serve rattlesnake at a restaurant I worked at. It wasn't bad, I'd eat it again. It was certainly better than that muskrat dinner I had at a firehall one night. I had to pick bone and fur out of almost every bite.

[Bigheader]

Taste like chicken

[388jth]

Tastes like chicken

[John_Merritt]

'Officials had previously said that about 10 hunters would have a permit. They will not be able to use firearms or traps to catch the pythons.'

Count me out then. No Mossberg or AK, I'm not getting neat any of those critters. However, these good ole boys down here just love to wrassle. Have at it guys.

[legacyabq]

those snakes are ruining the delicate balance of a precious, beutiful, nd fragile ecosystem. So are non-native plants.

I feel bad for the snakes, but they dont belong here.

Why do peopleget exotic pets? You should read about the damageit causes in southamerica and elsewhere, poor indians stripping the jungle of every turtle, bird, snake and mammal they can find, usually breaking the law

This is ruinous on both ends.

I cant believe people are selfish and stupid enough to release 8 foot pythons into the wild.

[au_fait]

Ok so they snakes are to be destroyed but they cannot shoot them. Why not save time and just shoot them in the beginning? Once again we see government bull crap making an easy job hard and tedious!

[docpeter1953]

My python boots were on too tight
I couldn't get them off last night
A week went by
And now it's July
I finally got them off
and my baby said my
your stink foot put the hurt on my nose

[Kuei1248]

ROFLMFAO!

[Questionews]

"Permit Holders Allowed to Euthanize Snakes"




This should give PETA something to focus on.

[docpeter1953]

At least until one of their own kids gets killed by a python.

[rrozsa]

PETA is one of the largest proponents of euthanasia on animals. They have gone so far as to state that the act of owning pets is cruelty to animals and all pets should be euthanized for their own good.