News Summary
In a historic achievement, Taylor Stanberry emerged as the first female winner of the Florida Python Challenge, capturing 294 invasive Burmese pythons. The event saw 934 participants from various states working to combat the invasive species problem, with Stanberry’s impressive 60 captures earning her a $10,000 prize. This year’s challenge not only raised awareness but also highlighted important conservation efforts against the invasive python crisis in Florida.
Florida has made history as Taylor Stanberry became the first woman to win the Ultimate Grand Prize in the 2025 Florida Python Challenge. With a record-breaking total of 294 invasive Burmese pythons captured, the event witnessed significant participation and efforts aimed at addressing the environmental impact of these nonnative snakes.
The challenge ran from July 11 to July 20, 2025, attracting 934 participants from 30 states and Canada. This year’s participation marked a resurgence in interest following a decline in numbers during the pandemic, with over 900 individuals joining the competition. Over the ten-day event held in various locations—including the iconic Everglades National Park—participants collaborated to capture the invasive species.
Stanberry, a 29-year-old resident of Naples, Florida, captured 60 pythons, earning her a prize of $10,000 and making her the first female winner since the competition’s inception in 2013. In the professional category, Donna Kalil followed closely, capturing 56 pythons and winning $2,500. The contest also recognized novice and military participants, with John Southworth leading the military category by catching five pythons and Jonathan Miller capturing the longest python at 11 feet, 2 inches.
This year’s competition broke the previous record of 195 pythons set in the earlier challenge, showcasing a significant increase in both captures and awareness of the invasive python problem. The longest python caught during this year’s event measured 15 feet, 11 inches, reported by novice participant Michael Marousky.
The Florida Python Challenge serves a dual purpose: it aims to reduce the population of invasive Burmese pythons that threaten native wildlife and simultaneously raise public awareness about the challenges posed by these predators. As the competition was scheduled to coincide with the emergence of new hatchlings, participants faced ample opportunities to capture pythons.
Sarah Funk, a program coordinator focused on nonnative fish and wildlife, indicated that the removal of each invasive python is a step forward in conservation efforts vital to protecting Florida’s biodiversity. Since 2019, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has documented the removal of over 15,800 pythons through joint efforts with contractors and ongoing public participation.
The challenge accommodates three categories—professional, novice, and military—offering prizes for various achievements. In the early years of the Python Challenge, participation peaked at nearly 1,600 participants in 2013. However, numbers dipped to around 600 in 2021 due to the pandemic’s impact on public events. The increased turnout this year signals a growing commitment to addressing the invasive species threat.
FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto emphasized that the challenge plays a crucial role in both wildlife conservation and public education, stressing the importance of responsible handling of pythons throughout the year. Stanberry, who has been active in python hunting for a decade, participated in the challenge for the first time this year, showing a commitment to wildlife management that is echoed by her husband as they raise awareness through social media channels dedicated to snakes and responsible hunting practices.
As Florida continues to combat the invasive python crisis, the success of the 2025 Florida Python Challenge marks a significant achievement in ongoing conservation efforts, encouraging community involvement and fostering a deeper understanding of the ecological threats posed by invasive species.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Palm Beach Post
- Wikipedia: Burmese python
- NBC Miami
- Google Search: Florida Python Challenge
- CBS News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Florida
- WFLA News
- Google News: Python Challenge 2025

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