The state of Florida, America, is having a problem with increasing number of Burmese Pythons in the area. Burmese Pythons are not native to Florida but they started showing up in the Everglades in the 1980s, probably after the release or escape of exotic pet snakes. NDTV has reported that in the past ten years or so, according to government estimates, their number has increased between 5,000 and 10,000. These snakes, which were a rare sighting before, are now commonplace. As a result, the native wildlife such as raccoons, rabbits, alligators and deer are fast disappearing.
The State has tried many methods to deal with the situation, including “python challenges” that offered a reward of $1,500 to those who caught the longest snake. An iPhone app was also introduced for people to report python sightings. But nothing has helped so far. There are fears that the endangered wood rat on Key Largo are at threat from these snakes and also the petite and endangered Key deer.
Now, the state has come up with a new plan to handle the situation. They have hired two experienced snake catchers from India. These efforts are a part of a series of projects which the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission calls, “unique projects” to capture and kill pythons.
Pythons are native to India and the two men from Irula tribe, who are successful python hunters in India, have been brought in along with their translators, to work with detection dogs, to track down and capture giant snakes. The Commission says it has payed $68,888 to hire the Irula men, Masi Sadaiyan and Vadivel Gopal and their translators and fly them to South Florida from their home town in South India.
So far, the team has bagged 13 snakes in less than two weeks.
