After all was said and done on Wednesday, the 2025 Florida Python Challenge's top snake slayer was a woman.
Taylor Stanberry won the $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize after removing 60 invasive Burmese pythons, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
A record haul for conservation efforts
Over the course of the 10-day tournament, 934 competitors from 30 states and Canada killed a record 294 pythons, according to the FWC.
Everglades National Park was one of the eight official competition sites for the first time this year.
According to Florida officials, the contest is essential to maintaining the state's natural variety and empowering citizens to take an active part in environmental conservation.
A family hobby
Stanberry, who lives in Naples, Florida, and her husband Rhett manage a Facebook site devoted to hunting and snakes. Additionally, the duo maintains an Instagram and YouTube channel.
Raising awareness is the goal of the Python Challenge
Public education is part of the Florida Python Challenge, which is now held annually.
"The natural food chain is being destroyed by the python, an animal that can grow up to 20 feet long and weigh 200 pounds. We launched the Python Challenge on the direction of the FWC," stated Ron Bergeron, a member of the governing board for the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD).
According to state officials, the objective is twofold: lessen the effects of the invasive species and increase public awareness of the danger these creatures represent to native wildlife in the Greater Everglades ecosystem.
"Catching pythons is only one aspect of the Python Challenge. Part of it is that. It's teaching the public so that all of the organizations that recreate in the Everglades know how to securely remove a python at any time of year," Bergeron stated.
References: CBS NEWS
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