Scouting for Burmese pythons in the Everglades

University of Florida wildlife scientists are scouting for Burmese pythons in the Everglades by using previously captured pythons to lure, locate and learn how the invasive species is thriving in the Everglades.

This latest effort is a large-scale python removal scout program led by UF/IFAS scientists in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Fort Collins Science Center, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Researchers are using pythons captured by SFWMD’s Python Elimination Program and FWC’s Python Action Team to study python biology further as they leverage radio telemetry technology during the species mating and breeding seasons to remove pythons. 

“Our study links python ecology with removal efforts,” said Melissa Miller,  project lead and research assistant scientist specializing in invasion biology at UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center. “This allows for long-term, in-depth research projects, which are critical to understanding cryptic, long-lived species such Burmese pythons, all while continuing to find and remove pythons from the Everglades.”

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