Florida offers incentives to remove invasive pythons from Everglades

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are offering financial incentives to combat the spread of invasive Burmese pythons in the Everglades. The program seeks to protect local wildlife, including mammals, birds, and native reptiles, from the impact of these predators.

Contracted agents can earn between $14 and $30 per hour depending on the assigned geographic zone, with a maximum of 10 billable hours per day. Additional bonuses are provided for specific captures: $50 for pythons up to four feet long, plus $25 for every additional foot. The district also offers $200 for verifying active nests and monthly performance bonuses ranging from $300 to $1,500 for meeting capture targets.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid driver's license, and undergo background checks. The program is primarily targeting Florida residents, including hunters, fishers, and veterans with experience handling large constrictor snakes. The district maintains a limit of 50 contractors for these authorized zones, which include Miami-Dade, Broward, and Collier counties.