Ozzy Osbourne hunts Burmese pythons in the Florida Python Challenge
Editor’s note: This story, from the Palm Beach Post archives, was originally published in 2017. The 2024 Florida Python Challenge runs now through Aug. 18.
Burmese pythons have become their own celebrity species in South Florida since the South Florida Water Management District began its python control program in March.
Since its inception, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has been involved in the hunt, cooking the snake on site after it has been caught.
And during the summer, rock legend Ozzy Osbourne and his son Jack were taken snake hunting for the show “Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour.”
The elder Osbourne’s recollections of the tour in a Rolling Stone article are grim, but the so-called Prince of Darkness says he didn’t think it was “too cool” to be on a ship surrounded by snakes and alligators. that it was not his “cup of tea”.
“There are snakes in the land and there are (shameful) sheets in the water.’ I wasn’t the ‘Prince of Darkness’ at the time, I was (insert) scared (swear) a lot,” Osbourne told Rolling Stone.
Osbourne’s guides included Dusty “Wildman” Crum, a contract worker for the South Florida Water Management District who hunts invasive pythons when he’s not doing his day job as an orchid designer.
The 37-year-old, who hunts barefoot, may be one of the rare hunters roaming South Florida these days in an effort to rid the Everglades of the invasive Burmese python.
The group of hired killers – a mix of environmental activists, swamp dwellers and a former political activist – began their mission in March, earning a minimum wage as contract workers, as well as bonuses based on size. they snake.
They have killed 788 snakes since Wednesday, including females with multiple eggs, and one large 17-foot snake that weighed 130 pounds.
“This is a historic effort,” said Crum, who lives in Myakka Village east of Sarasota and deals with wild flowers while hunting pythons. “We’re out there at least a few days a week setting it up for them.”
The program began as a pilot for the South Florida Water Management District. It was established with a budget of 175,000 dollars and a sunset date of June 1. When the money was left on the last scheduled day, it was expanded, and it was expanded again by another 125,000 dollars. approved this month by the district board. The Dec. 14 vote also expanded the program to Palm Beach County.
It’s the most successful python removal initiative Florida has attempted, said University of Florida wildlife ecology professor Frank Mazotti, and not just because of the numbers of snakes removed.
Crowds of famous tourists and politicians have joined the hunt, creating an impression of South Florida that has gained international attention.
“I think putting boots on the ground, and the right boots on the ground, has been part of the success,” Mazotti said of the program and the 50 hunters employed by the county. But one of the best things is the attention it brought to the problem.
What is the Florida Python Challenge?
The Florida Python Challenge is a python removal competition that takes place in August. Participants have nine days to kill as many Burmese pythons as possible. The 2024 python removal contest begins at 12:01 am on August 9 and ends at 5 pm on August 18. The contest helps protect the Everglades and all its native animals by removing pythons that invading Burmese.
Why hunt Burmese pythons?
Burmese pythons are an invasive species that pose a threat to wildlife in the Everglades. Florida pays hunters every year to catch snakes. This competition helps protect the Everglades and all its animals by eliminating invasive Burmese pythons. State-licensed hunters can win up to $25,000 this year.
During last year’s hunt, 209 snakes were captured during the Florida Python Challenge. The prize was $10,000.
Prizes will be awarded for the longest or most snakes caught. Hunters can register until the competition deadline on August 18th.
How to register for the 2024 Python Challenge
Hunters interested in participating in the Python Challenge can register until the competition deadline at flpythonchallenge.org. As of Tuesday, August 6, there were 622 people registered for this year’s Python Challenge. That included 106 people from other provinces and two from Ontario, Canada.
Participants must take an online course to learn python. It also contains information about the humane method of killing a snake.
Firearms are not allowed to be used during the event, but air rifles and captive bolts may be used to personally kill the pythons.
More on Burmese pythons
Kimberly Miller is a reporter for The Palm Beach Post, Florida’s USA Today Network division. He covers real estate and how growth affects the South Florida environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for weekly real estate deals. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local media; register today.
#Ozzy #Osbourne #hunts #Burmese #pythons #Florida #Python #Challenge