Sarah Funck

February 22, 2018

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s

Python Programs

Nonnative Wildlife in Florida

Over 500 nonnative wildlife

species observed in Florida

More than 150 species are

thought to have reproducing

populations

1924-current

Containment

Eradication

Asset Based Protection

& Long-term Management

Prevention

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TIME →IntroductionAdapted from Department of Environment and Primary Industries,

Victoria, Australia

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THE INVASION CURVE

Nonnative Species Management Activities

Prevention

Early Detection

Rapid Response (EDRR)

Control and Management

1-888-IVE-GOT-1

Presentation Overview

Burmese python biology

Potential impacts of pythons

Pythons in Florida

Current efforts

Development of an

interagency plan

Burmese Python Biology

Large constrictor snake native to

southeast Asia

Semi-aquatic and generally found in or

near water

Cryptic species, hard to detect

Potentially high reproductive rate

Considered “invasive” species

Potential Impacts of Pythons

Hypothetical diet necessary for a hatchling Burmese python to reach 13 feet in the

Florida Everglades (5-7 years)

Source: Dr. Stephen Secor, Univ. of Alabama and Skip Snow, Everglades National Park

Pythons in Florida

First reported in south Florida in 1979

Impacted areas include state, federal,

tribal, local government and private

lands

No reliable population estimates

Pythons are regulated both at state

and federal level

Working Together

Interagency Coordination

Increased efficiency

Leverage resources

Increased

communication

Cooperative Invasive

Species Management Areas

Research Support

Efficiency of human search efforts

Detection dogs

Trap refinement

Pheromone attractant development

eDNA

Diet analysis

FWC’s Python Removal Contractor Program

70 pythons removed

21 active contractors

Survey Wildlife Management

Areas

Everglades Francis S Taylor

Holey Land

Rotenberger

Big Cypress

Picayune

FWC’s Python Removal Contractor Program

Compensated for their efforts

Survey hours

Pythons removed

Python nests removed

Deployed for rapid response to

reports received through Exotic

Species Hotline

Citizen Participation Efforts

FWC Python Pickup Program

Launched April 2017

72 pythons submitted

Python Patrol Training

144 trainings

Over 2,000 people trained

Nonnative Volunteer Responder

Network

Citizen Participation Efforts

Python ChallengeTM events in

2013 and 2016

Exotic Pet Amnesty Program

accepted 113 surrendered

Burmese pythons

Exotic Species Hotline

(888–Ive-Got1)

Vet inspection of surrendered

Burmese python, Miami, 2008

Interagency Plan Development

Comprehensive, statewide python

management plan

Land management partners in south

Florida invited to participate

Develop unified goals and strategies

Incorporate public feedback

Image courtesy of Edward Mercer

Goals and Benefits of an Interagency Plan

Provides a guide to resource

managers

Provides ownership to participating

partners

Adaptable “living” document

Prioritize agency resources

http://myfwc.com/python

Thank You