Explore endangered species issues and conservation consciousness with Jennifer Bové. While you're here, tackle wildlife trivia and flashcards from the field. Having fun? Follow this site for more news, reviews, and resources from the great outdoors (boots are optional). Also, be sure to stop by Jen's Endangered Species site at About.com
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The Python Challenge
Burmese pythons were first reported in Everglades National Park in 1979 and were assumed to be pets that reached the U.S. via the pet trade.
Since then, the ravenous tropical snakes have thrived, reproducing at
an alarming rate. As python populations
have grown, many native species have plummeted as a result of predation
by the new predators in town.
Photo courtesy of NPS
Florida, desperate to combat the python problem, has launched the Python Challenge, giving hunters free reign to kill pythons at will. Most people have a strong reaction, one way or another, to this "solution." Learn more about it here:
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