Stop the Python Hunt!

  • by: Michael Erickson
  • recipient: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has authorized a special Python Hunting Season, from March 8th through April 17th to help eliminate non-native exotic reptiles - particularly the Burmese python, Python molurus bivittatus - from Florida.

The Burmese python have been a problem in Florida ever since Hurricane Andrew released baby pythons, being held at zoological import
 facilities, into the Everglades. Because the climate and habitats of the Everglades are so similar to those found in the snakes' native homeland of Southeast Asia, they have thrived and reproduced prolifically, and are now considered an invasive species. They pose a threat to native wildlife and, as such, their populations must be managed, and direct action must be taken to try and eliminate non-native pythons from the Everglades.

However, an authorized hunt, in which individuals are instructed to enter the swamps and kill pythons, is an inhumane and highly questionable answer. Despite a "Python 101" training session having been held, having hunters out in natural habitats actively searching for and killing snakes raises many points of concern.

First of all, there is a very real possibility that questionable and even illegal methods could be employed by hunters to capture and kill snakes, for example, gassing them out of their dens or hooking them. Gassing dens is extraordinarily detrimental to the environment and ecosystems, as gasoline seaping into the ground will contaminate the ground water that humans and animals must drink. It can also cause serious problems for native snake species, or other animals such as the endandered Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus). Hooking is a painful and deplorable method of restraining or handling snakes, and the snake will suffer greatly before it is dispatched. Other inhumane killing methods, such as decaptation and/or shooting with a bow, may also be used. Decapitation, in particular, is recognized by experts as a hideously cruel method of slaughter for reptiles, as a snake's head may remain fully conscious and alive (as well as receptive to pain) for up to an hour or more after it has been severed from the body.

Another issue worthy of consideration is the rather strong likelihood that native Floridian snakes, mistaken for pythons, will be persecuted. Baby and juvenile pythons are vividly patterned like many of Florida's native snake species, and seeing glimpses of snakes slipping through thickly vegetated areas or leaf litter may easily lead to confusion. The excitement and adrenaline that will probably accompany hunters could also cause them to act hastily. The brilliant saddled pattern of the corn snake (Elaphe guttata), and the very large size (up to 8.5 feet) of the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) make them especially prone to cases of mistaken identity. This is important because these two species are currently designated as Special Concern and Threatened, respectively.

There are Ethical and Animal Welfare issues to be considered as well. Burmese pythons were imported and bred specifically to be sold as pets for monetary gain - it was by no fault of their own that they were shipped from their native habitats and then released by tropical storms (and, perhaps, irresponsible pet owners looking to get rid of their snakes) in Florida. Humans are the problem, they are the reason that exotic snakes are loose in Florida, so humans should also be the solution. Exterminating and killing snakes is an inhumane, morally objectionable, and all-around unacceptable solution.

However, pythons still need to be managed to prevent the environmental degredation their presence may cause. One possibility is that the FWC could start a Python Rehoming Project, where exotic non-native reptiles could be humanely captured and placed in animal shelters, humane societies, etc. and be adopted out to sutible homes. Private-run reptile rescues and credible zoos should also be contacted and urged to help promote a Python Adoption Program and help place the snakes in suitable homes. Such a project is more humane, eliminates the possibility of the risks mentioned above, and would be relatively straightforward as its docile nature and beautiful appearance has made the Burmese python extremely popular with reptile hobbyists as a domestic pet. A second possibility would be to simply ship the pythons back to their native countries, where the natural populations are threatened due to habitat descruction and the skin trade - Florida's unwanted feral pythons could aid in bringing stability to the species and ensuring its survival in its natural habitat. Both of these posibilities are humane and responsible solutions to this problem, which is more than can be said for killing them.

Sign this petition to tell the FWC that you won't stand for it, and to urge them to end the Python Hunt immediately.


(P.S. You can also sign this petition [http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-the-alligator-hunt] to tell the FWC to end the slaughter of alligators.)

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