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9-foot Burmese python on first day of Florida extermination program26/07/2009 00:02:11
Shawn Heflick measures the 9-foot, 8-inch python with the help of FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. Credit FWC July 2009. Armed with snake hooks and nets, a group of reptile experts selected by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to participate in the state's python permit program captured a 9-foot, 8-inch Burmese python. The volunteer permit holders spotted the python in water underneath a boardwalk. It was later ‘euthanized‘. "Honestly, I was surprised. I did not expect to see a Burmese python on the first day," said Shawn Heflick, one of the permit holders. "We hope our success helps us establish connections with airboat operators and sportsmen out here in the 'Glades. They can tell us where these snakes are, so we can go out and find them." The FWC's Burmese python permit program allows permit holders to search for pythons on several FWC wildlife management areas and lands managed by the South Florida Water Management District. "This outcome shows that we do have a serious Burmese python problem, and this program is a good first step in helping to stop the spread of this exotic species." said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. The python permit program runs from July 17 to Oct. 31, at which time the FWC will evaluate the data collected and determine if it should extend or expand the program.
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