State officials have encouraged the capture and humane killing of Burmese pythons since the non-native species took root in south Florida and began to proliferate in the Everglades, with few natural predators to curb their population growth.

Florida Python Challenge has slithered to its conclusion, with professionally-categorized python purger Ronald Kiger crowned its victor after removing 20 Burmese pythons from the Florida Everglades.

A wild challenge in Florida brings awareness to the threat pythons present to the region with a cash prize involved.

A winner was announced Tuesday in Florida's annual Python Challenge, a competition that tasks hunters with removing invasive Burmese pythons from the south Florida wilds.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has crowned a winner in the state’s annual Python Challenge, a competition that tasks hunters with removing invasive Burmese pythons from south Florida.

The winner of the Florida Python Challenge removed 20 Burmese pythons from the Everglades. Ronald Kiger was announced as the winner on Tuesday and will take home the $10,000 grand prize. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission awards about $25,