Overview
- The 2026 Florida Python Challenge drew 907 participants over a 10-day event and produced a recorded total of 280 Burmese pythons removed from the Everglades.
- Tom Rahill, a decade-long professional hunter and founder of the nonprofit Swamp Apes, captured 96 pythons and received the $10,000 grand prize, setting a new contest record.
- Organizers announced other prize winners including Christina Kraus for most professional captures (36), Taylor Stanberry as runner-up (34), and Rahm Levinson for longest python at 16 feet, 5 inches.
- Burmese pythons were introduced to South Florida decades ago and now number an estimated 100,000 to 300,000, a population size that means contest removals represent only a fractional reduction.
- State and nonprofit efforts have removed thousands of pythons since 2017 and use contests to gather data and boost public involvement, but managers say long-term control will require sustained, broader strategies beyond occasional competitions.