Naples resident Taylor Stanberry crowned top snake slayer in the 2025 Florida Python Challenge, taking home the Ultimate Grand Prize of $10,000 after removing 60 invasive Burmese pythons.
A record-breaking effort unfolded as 934 participants from 30 states and Canada joined the 10-day competition, collectively removing 294 Burmese pythons—the highest total in the event’s history. This year also marked the first time Everglades National Park was included among the eight official competition locations, expanding the reach of the conservation effort.
Officials say the Python Challenge serves a dual purpose: protecting Florida’s natural biodiversity and giving residents an active role in environmental protection. It’s about more than just catching snakes; organizers emphasize public education so people recreating in the Everglades learn how to remove a python safely and responsibly year-round.
Stanberry, who shares a passion for snakes with her husband Rhett, runs a family page on Facebook dedicated to snakes and hunting, and they maintain a presence on YouTube and Instagram.
The challenge is framed as a conservation and awareness program. Ron Bergeron, a governing board member for the South Florida Water Management District, described the Python Challenge as a key step in addressing the ecological threat posed by pythons, which can reach up to 20 feet in length and weigh as much as 200 pounds and disrupt native wildlife and food chains.
Commentary and outlook:
– The record participation and the inclusion of Everglades National Park signal growing public engagement in wildlife management and habitat protection. The event’s educational component is especially important for fostering year-round awareness and safe removal practices.
– For participants and viewers, the competition combines a wildlife management objective with community involvement, turning conservation into a collaborative effort that can inspire ongoing stewardship beyond the ten-day event.
– Looking ahead, continued expansion, better reporting on removal efforts, and ongoing public education could further reduce the impact of invasive pythons on Florida’s native ecosystems.
Summary: The 2025 Florida Python Challenge produced a record python harvest, highlighted by a Naples woman’s 60-snake haul and a prize of $10,000, while expanding the event’s footprint with Everglades National Park and underscoring education as a core goal. The growing participation underscores a hopeful trend in community-driven conservation and wildlife management.