Veterans tackle pythons for Florida’s ecosystem and therapy
Florida Python Challenge offers therapy and ecosystem protection for veterans
For the native flora and fauna of the Florida Everglades, tackling invasive species such as the Burmese python is a demanding task. However, for many military veterans engaged in this effort, it serves as a form of wilderness therapy.
Every August, the Florida Python Challenge invites people from various regions to capture and humanely euthanise these rapidly multiplying reptiles, initially introduced to the US through the pet trade. Their presence threatens the Everglades’ ecosystem by preying on native species like American alligators, marsh rabbits, and white-tailed deer.
The first sightings of Burmese pythons in Florida occurred in 1979, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and they have been an environmental threat ever since.
Want to get involved in Everglades conservation, remove invasive Burmese #pythons & help native wildlife, all while getting the chance to win up to $10K in prizes? Nonnative nope-rope wrangling may be in your near future!
The 2024 Florida Python Challenge™ starts early… pic.twitter.com/uxHBfNjEty
— MyFWC (@MyFWC) August 8, 2024
To participate in the challenge, individuals need to pay a $25 registration fee and complete an online training course that covers python identification and approved euthanasia methods.
The challenge starts on Friday at midnight and ends at 5 p.m. on August 18. As of the weekend, 729 participants had registered, according to Lisa Thompson, a spokesperson for the event.
The contest features three categories: professional, novice, and military. The overall winner, who captures the most pythons, receives a $10,000 prize.
Details about the 2024 competition were announced in May, highlighting the state’s commitment to Everglades restoration.
Since its inception in 2013 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, participants have removed 917 pythons, Thompson stated.
Participants may face disqualification for inhumane euthanasia of a python or for removing a native snake, according to the official website. The humane method involves “pithing,” which destroys the snake’s brain to prevent suffering, unlike shooting it with a firearm.
While some participants are drawn by the thrill, for others, the experience is more profound.
Swamp Apes, a non-profit founded by Floridian Tom Rahill and supported by state agencies, plays a significant role in the challenge. The organisation promotes “python-ing” as a way for veterans to reconnect with nature.
Rahill and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Aycock are year-round “python contractors” with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They are the current titleholders in their respective categories: Rahill for the longest python in the professional category and Aycock as the runner-up for most pythons caught in the military category.
The non-profit uses the challenge to further its mission and recruits veterans to work as python removal contractors year-round. For veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, disabilities, or challenges in civilian life, wrangling these snakes can be therapeutic.
“Many veterans feel they can’t contribute to society when they return home,” Aycock told CNN. “Getting them out there, active, and thinking right can help them regain their sense of purpose.”
Rahill, not a veteran himself but a lifelong wilderness enthusiast, founded Swamp Apes in 2017. He was inspired by his relatives’ military experiences and his own feelings of loss when his wife was away teaching in Arkansas.
“I believe the Lord put it in my head that you’re not thinking about your grief when dealing with a 10-foot python,” Rahill said.
Aycock views “python-ing” as a great way to relieve stress while giving him a mission similar to his military duties.
Rahill agrees, highlighting that veterans can use their military skills in catching pythons, which helps them regain self-pride.
Aycock encourages veterans to engage in the activity, noting that many initially appear withdrawn but light up once they catch a python.
Swamp Apes members come from across the country, and the organisation welcomes women veterans.
Besides capturing the snakes, many enthusiasts tan python skin into hides for belts, shoes, and wallets. Rahill plans to focus more on this craft as he ages, working from his barn in Lutz, Florida.
Aycock, who didn’t have the time to process python carcasses during active duty, now sells the hides by the foot.
“I don’t kill anything if I’m not going to eat it,” Aycock said. “I had to adjust my philosophy for this invasive species but using the hides raises public awareness about the problem.”
He added, “I’d be happy if all the pythons disappeared tomorrow. But someone has to do it, and we enjoy it.”
Preparation for the annual challenge includes staying hydrated and having the right gear. The best time to remove pythons is in the middle of the night when they are most active.
Rahill plans to participate throughout the competition, promoting Swamp Apes and hoping to catch many snakes.
“It feels like a celebration every time you see a snake,” Rahill said, describing them as beautiful once you overcome the fear.
Although Rahill and Aycock catch pythons year-round, the challenge allows their community to gather, share stories, and exchange tips while prioritising the ecosystem.
Rahill is particularly keen to catch a snake with a head the size of a football that eluded him eight years ago, costing him a pair of Oakley sunglasses.
“There’s a snake out there with my Oakleys, and I want them back,” Rahill said. “That’s the goal.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What is the Florida Python Challenge?
An annual event where participants catch and humanely euthanize invasive Burmese pythons in the Everglades.
How can I participate in the Florida Python Challenge?
Register with a $25 fee and complete an online training course on python identification and humane euthanization methods.
Why are Burmese pythons a problem in the Everglades?
They endanger native wildlife like alligators, marsh rabbits, and deer by preying on them.
How does python hunting help military veterans?
It provides a form of therapy, helping veterans with PTSD and other challenges reconnect with society and nature.
What is Swamp Apes?
A non-profit organization that engages veterans in python removal and other nature initiatives for therapeutic purposes.
