Florida’s Python Problem—and Hunt

I’m thoroughly convinced that whenever I encounter weird news online the story will take place in Florida, and the following is no exception. Given the encroachment of Burmese pythons in Florida, the state has responded as only Floridians could:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced that it will hold a month-long competition starting January 12, 2013, “to see who can harvest the longest and the most Burmese pythons” from designated public lands in southern Florida. The goal is to raise awareness about the threat this invasive species poses to the Everglades ecosystem, and to generate “additional information on the python population in south Florida and enhance our research and management efforts.” Python hunting permit holders, as well as members of the general public, are invited to compete for the cash prizes of $1500 for the most pythons killed and $1000 for the longest python killed.

Don’t worry, though. Participants will have to watch a 30 minute online preparation course before they head out into swamps full of pythons and native venomous snakes.

Oh, Florida.