Wednesday July 15, 2009, 4:55 pm


Thnx Raffi!

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 4:55 pm
Sen. Wants Pythons Hunted, Killed
Organized Hunt Would Kill Snakes In Everglades

Miami: U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson called Tuesday for organized hunts of thousands of pythons believed to be living in the Everglades to kill the snakes and prevent potential attacks.

Nelson's request came in a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who got a first-hand look at a 15-foot python found in the swampland during a visit in May hosted by the senator. And it comes just weeks after a 2-year-old central Florida girl was strangled by an unlicensed pet python that escaped from a terrarium in her home, drawing further attention to the issue.

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"They are threatening endangered wildlife there," the Democratic lawmaker wrote to his former Senate colleague, "and, Lord forbid, a visitor in the Everglades ever encounters one."

Nelson has estimated 100,000 pythons are living in the Everglades, a population believed to be the result, at least in part, of pets released into the wild when they grow too big. "They now have become such a problem in the park," said Dan McLaughlin, Nelson's spokesman, "you could spend the next 10 years setting traps."

The senator asked Salazar to approve supervised hunts of the snakes by U.S. Park Service staff, other authorities and volunteers to kill the pythons en masse. The invasive species have been multiplying in the Everglades for years.

Kendra Barkoff, a spokeswoman for Salazar, said the secretary agreed pythons "pose a significant threat to the Florida Everglades and must be dealt with immediately" but did not comment specifically on the idea of authorizing hunts.

Pythons are difficult to find in summer, when they're known to hide in sawgrass, but often come out to roadsides and other open areas during winter to get some sun. Nelson didn't elaborate on how a hunt for the snakes would be conducted.

Nelson has introduced a bill to ban imports of the snakes, after years of trying to persuade federal wildlife officials to restrict their entry into the country. At a hearing on the bill earlier this month, Nelson spoke as a massive skin of a python was set on a table.

During Salazar's visit to the Everglades in May, he was shown a roughly 90-pound Burmese python that was caught in the park. "Look at the size of him!" Nelson said as the snake was taken out of a container. It took three people to restrain.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 5:03 pm
These beautiful animals didn't ask to be dumped by humans...once again, because of the stupidity of people, animals will pay with their lives.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 5:18 pm
I could see removing them from the wild, but I don't agree with killing them... Is it possible to remove reproductive organs in snakes, not that that would prevent them from taking a toll on wildlife, but at least if they were to get out, or were adopted out people couldn't continue to breed them?... hmmm... Thanks Raffi!

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 7:27 pm
I live her and know that you, Raffi, also once called Florida home! There just is no other solution to this problem that simply got so out of hand! Whoever is at fault for dumping these beautiful animals - and I agree it surely was irresponsible owners - If I have the choice between a Florida deer or a python ... it is obvious where I stand! There have been killings of quite a few household pets land if I remember correctly there even has been a case where a Florida panther has been attacked as well.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 10:07 pm
I completely approve of the eradication of an invasive species. Invasive species are an ecological disaster.

Thursday July 16, 2009, 7:39 am
This is why they need to ban all wild animals as pets. When they get too big, they became a danger and people just end up dumping them. Very sad. Thanks Raffi.