Winners announced in 2020 Python Bowl challenge; 80 snakes removed from wild

MIAMI, Fla. -- Wildlife officials say participants in the Florida Python Challenge 2020 Python Bowl removed 80 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades while simultaneously helping to raise awareness about an important conservation issue.

At an event Saturday in Miami, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District announced the results and winners of the Python Removal Competition at the 2020 Python Bowl award ceremony.

Here are the official Florida Python Challenge™ 2020 Python Bowl results:

Most Pythons

• Pro grand prize winner Mike Kimmel won a TRACKER 570 Off Road ATV for removing eight pythons.
• Rookie grand prize winner Kristian Hernandez won a TRACKER 570 Off Road ATV for removing six pythons.
• Pro second prize winner Lindsey Floyd won $750 for removing six pythons.
• Rookie second prize winner Ethan O’Neil won $750 for removing four pythons.
• Active service member or veteran winner Barry Offenburger (U.S. Army) won $1,000 for removing three pythons.

Longest Python

• Pro grand prize winner Tom Rahill won $2,000 for a 12-foot, 7.3-inch
• Rookie grand prize winner Kristian Hernandez won $2,000 for an 11-foot, 6.5-inch python.
• Pro second prize winner Amy Siewe won $750 for a 10-foot, 7-inch python.
• Rookie second prize winner Dave Mucci won $750 for an 11-foot, .08-inch python.
• Active service member or veteran winner Dave Mucci (U.S. Air Force) won $1,000 for an 11-foot, .08-inch python.

Heaviest Python

Pro grand prize winner Tom Rahill won $2,000 for a 62-pound python.

• Rookie grand prize winner Dave Mucci won $2,000 for a 49.4-pound python.
• Pro second prize winner Dustin Crum won $750 for a 9-pound python.
• Rookie second prize winner Kristian Hernandez won $750 for a 1-pound python.
• Active service member or veteran winner Dave Mucci (U.S. Air Force) won $1,000 for a 49.4-pound python.

FWC says more than 750 people from 20 states registered to take part in the 10-day competition to remove Burmese pythons, which are decimating native wildlife populations in the Everglades.

Everyone who registered passed a mandatory online training.

The public can help control invasive species by reporting nonnative fish and wildlife to the FWC’s Invasive Species Hotline at 888-IVE-GOT1 (888-483-4681), by reporting sightings online at IveGot1.org or by downloading the IveGot1 smartphone app.

For more information about the Python Challenge™ 2020 Python Bowl visit FLPythonChallenge.org.