Florida python challenge ends
MIAMI, Fla. - The Florida Fish and Wildlfe Conservation Commission wrapped up its month-long 2012 Python Challenge Saturday morning.
The FWC says 68 Burmese pythons were taken from the Florida Everglades during the hunt.
Competitors trekked through more than a million acres of swamps and sawgrass to find the invasive species that threatens Everglades wildlife.
"Thanks to the determination of Python Challenge competitors, we were able to gather invaluable information that will help refine and focus combined efforts to control pythons in the Everglades," FWC Executive Director Nick Wiley said.
The $1,500 grand prize for harvesting the most Burmese pythons went to Brian Barrows who captured six pythons in the general competition and Ruben Ramirez won the Python Permit Holders Competition by taking 18 pythons.
The $1,000 first place prize for taking the longest Burmese python went to Paul Shannon who harvested a 14-foot, 3-inch long snake. Ruben Ramirez took the Python Permit Holders prize with his 10-foot, 6.8-inch-long python.
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