NEWS
Florida Teen Captures 28 Burmese Pythons to Win $10,000
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
A Florida teen has won the top prize during an annual challenge in Florida to help rid the state of the invasive Burmese python.
19-year-old Matthew Concepcion from South Florida took home the $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize from the Bergeron Everglades Foundation for capturing 28 Burmese pythons during the 10-day competition.
Congrats Matthew Concepcion, 2022 Florida Python Challenge®$10K Ultimate Grand Prize winner, for removing 28 #invasive Burmese #pythons! Thanks to Bergeron Everglades Foundation for providing this award! https://t.co/JQKSk9zXlG #conservation pic.twitter.com/6OK8DhlTtf
— MyFWC (@MyFWC) October 20, 2022
According to the Associated Press, Concepcion was among 1,000 participants in the competition, which resulted in the removal of 231 Burmese pythons.
The competition was created to increase awareness about the invasive species and the threats they pose to Florida’s ecology.
“Once again, the Florida Python Challenge® has yielded impressive results with hundreds of invasive pythons being removed from the wild,” said Governor Ron DeSantis in a press release. “Removing these snakes is one of the many efforts we are employing to restore and maintain the Everglades ecosystem.”
“I’m thrilled to award the Ultimate Grand Prize today to Matthew Concepcion who captured the most pythons during the 2022 Florida Python Challenge®. He captured an incredible 28 pythons! Our python hunters are passionate about what they do and care very much about Florida’s precious environment. We are removing record numbers of pythons and we’re going to keep at it,” said South Florida Water Management District Governing Board Member “Alligator Ron” Bergeron. “The great partnership between the South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is critical as we work together to protect the Greater Everglades ecosystem and combat invasive pythons. None of this would be possible without the great leadership of Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis, who has been committed to Everglades restoration since day one of his administration. Thank you, Governor Desantis for working every day to improve and protect Florida’s natural resources.”
