Meet the winners of the ‘2025 Florida Python Challenge’
On August 13, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and partners announced the final results and winners of the 2025 Florida Python Challenge. During this year’s 10-day competition, 934 participants from 30 states and Canada helped support Everglades conservation by collectively removing a record 294 invasive Burmese pythons from south Florida.
The intent of the Florida Python Challenge is to increase awareness about invasive species and the threats they pose to Florida’s ecology, while offering the public a way to get directly involved in Everglades conservation through removal of invasive Burmese pythons. This year’s event included the exciting addition of Everglades National Park as one of eight official competition locations.
“The 2025 Florida Python Challenge can go in the books as a success thanks to the hard work of staff, generous support from our partners, continued leadership of Governor DeSantis and involvement of the many competitors in this year’s event,” said Rodney Barreto, FWC Chairman.
“The record number of invasive pythons removed from the Everglades during this year’s competition is a big win for native wildlife. With over 1,400 pythons removed during all Florida Python Challenge events to date and over 16,000 pythons removed by FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors since 2017, collective efforts are the key to continue addressing the threats Burmese pythons pose to Florida’s native wildlife and ecosystems.”
The winners of the 2025 Florida Python Challenge were announced at the FWC’s Commission Meeting held in Havana, Florida. The Ultimate Grand Prize winner was Taylor Stanberry, who removed 60 Burmese pythons, winning $10,000.
Additional information on winners and prizes for longest pythons and most pythons removed in the novice, professional and military categories, is detailed below.
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2025 Florida Python Challenge Prize Winners
ULTIMATE GRAND PRIZE
Awarded to the participant who removes the most pythons as part of the competition.
$10,000 …… Taylor Stanberry ……………………………….. 60 pythons
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PROFESSIONAL
Most Pythons Prize
$2,500 ……… Donna Kalil ………………………………………….. 56 pythons
Most Pythons Runner-Up Prize $1,500………. Hannah Gray ……………………………………… 22 pythons
Longest Python Prize
$1,000………. Kennith Chamberland ………………………….. 9 feet, 8 inches
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NOVICE
Most Pythons Prize
$2,500 ………. Krista Hoekstra …………………………………….. 14 pythons
Most Pythons Runner-Up Prize $1,500 ……… Kymberly Clark ……………………………………. 7 pythons
Longest Python Prize
$1,000………. Michael Marousky ………………………………… 15 feet, 11 inches
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MILITARY – Active Duty and Veteran
Most Pythons Prize
$2,500………. John Southworth – US Army …………………. 5 pythons
Most Pythons Runner-Up Prize
$1,500………. Matthew Jamison – US Air Force ………….. 3 pythons
Longest Python Prize
$1,000………. Jonathan Miller – US Air Force …………….. 11 feet, 2 inches
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Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and negatively impact native species. They are found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem in south Florida, where they prey on birds, mammals and other reptiles. A female Burmese python can lay 50 to 100 eggs at a time. Since the year 2000, more than 23,000 wild Burmese pythons have been removed from the state of Florida and reported to the FWC.
In addition to the Florida Python Challenge, there are other ways people can continue to help control nonnative species such as Burmese pythons. Anyone may remove and humanely kill pythons and other nonnative reptiles at any time on private lands with landowner permission and on 32 FWC-managed lands throughout south Florida.
The public can also help control invasive species by reporting nonnative snakes, tegus and monitor lizards to the FWC’s Invasive Species Hotline at 888-IVE-GOT1 (888-483-4681), and by reporting sightings of other nonnative fish and wildlife online at IveGot1.org or by downloading the free IveGot1 smartphone app. For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Nonnatives.
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(Source: FWC)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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