Florida’s ecological nightmare has been growing in the shadows for decades.
Invasive species have been devastating native wildlife populations across the state.
And one Florida woman just struck back at an ecological disaster with results that left scientists amazed.
Donna Kalil bags 16 pythons in single month
The Florida Everglades face one of the most serious ecological threats in American history.
Burmese pythons — massive constrictor snakes that can grow over 18 feet long — have been wreaking havoc on native wildlife populations.
These apex predators can eat animals larger than themselves and are thought to be responsible for a 90% decline in native mammal populations across their established range.
But one woman decided to fight back against this ecological catastrophe.
Donna Kalil captured 16 invasive Burmese pythons in the Everglades during the month of May alone.
Her outstanding achievement earned her top honors and a $1,000 cash reward from the South Florida Water Management District’s python removal program.
Kalil represents one of many registered hunters participating in Florida’s ongoing battle to control the spread of these destructive snakes.
The South Florida Water Management District noted that her success demonstrates the vital role that citizen participants play in the state’s environmental protection efforts.
Scientists achieve record-breaking python removal
Kalil’s impressive haul is part of a much larger success story unfolding across Southwest Florida.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida announced it removed a record-breaking 6,300 pounds of invasive Burmese pythons during its most recent hunting season.
This milestone brings the conservancy’s total python removal to more than 20 tons from a 200-square-mile area since the program began in 2013.
Wildlife biologist Ian Bartoszek, who oversees the nonprofit’s python program, has developed innovative techniques to track down these elusive predators.
His team employs radio tracking technology and specially tagged male pythons called "scout snakes" to find reproducing females during mating season.
The strategy has been incredibly effective at targeting adult female pythons to stop reproduction before it happens.
Since 2013, Since 2013, wildlife biologist Ian Bartoszek and his team have stopped 20,000 python eggs from hatching by removing breeding-age females.
"By utilizing the scout snake technique, we can target undetected breeding female pythons and effectively remove them from the ecosystem before they have a chance to lay eggs," Bartoszek, who serves as the Conservancy’s Research Manager, said.
The devastating impact of python invasion
The scope of ecological damage caused by these invasive snakes is almost incomprehensible.
Scientists have catalogued Burmese pythons consuming at least 85 different species in Florida, ranging from deer and foxes to rabbits, raccoons, birds, reptiles, and wild hogs.
During examinations of captured snakes, researchers have discovered deer hooves, alligator scales, and bobcat claws inside python stomachs.
These massive snakes can devour prey that’s more than 100% of their own body mass.
The Conservancy’s program has captured some truly enormous specimens, including the largest female python ever recorded in Florida — an 18-foot, 215-pound monster.
They also caught the largest male on record, measuring 16 feet and weighing 140 pounds.
United States Geological Survey ecologist Jackie Guzy explained why studying these creatures is so challenging.
"Pythons are incredibly cryptic and secretive, which makes research really challenging," Guzy said.
The secretive nature of these snakes has allowed their population to explode largely undetected across vast areas of South Florida.
Florida fights back with citizen army
The python removal programs represent a massive coordinated effort involving multiple organizations and countless volunteers.
Rob Moher, President and CEO of the Conservancy, estimates their python program costs at least a quarter-million dollars annually.
The funding comes from various sources, including the Naples Zoo, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and private donors.
"The biggest single funding source of this is from donors," Moher noted. "This would not have started, nor could it have been sustained without donors stepping up, saying this is important."
The program has partnered with the United States Geological Survey, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, the University of Florida, and the South Florida Water Management District.
Florida residents interested in joining the fight can register for the state’s python removal program at SFWMD.gov/PythonProgram.
The 2025 Florida Python Challenge is scheduled for July 11-20, giving participants a 10-day opportunity to help remove these destructive invaders.
Citizens can also help by downloading the free "IveGot1" app to identify and report invasive animals and plants throughout Florida.
Bartoszek encourages regular Floridians to get involved in the effort.
"Don’t be afraid of the Burmese python," he said. "We do need an army of observers here across Florida to report python sightings."
Python sightings can be reported by calling the invasive species hotline at 888-IVE-GOT1 (888-483-4681).
The battle against Florida’s python invasion shows what’s possible when citizens, scientists, and government agencies work together to protect America’s natural heritage.
Heroes like Donna Kalil prove that individual Americans can make a real difference in the fight to preserve our country’s wildlife for future generations.
