Florida Man Captures 87 Burmese Pythons in Month for $1K Reward

Aaron Mann, a Florida resident, captured 87 invasive Burmese pythons in July 2025 and earned a $1,000 bonus as part of the South Florida Water Management District’s Python Elimination Program, which incentivizes residents to remove these reptiles from the Everglades. The program pays $50 for each python up to four feet long and an additional $25 per foot beyond that, with removal agents also receiving hourly wages depending on the hunting location. Mann's achievement significantly surpassed previous monthly records and highlights the ongoing efforts to control the python population, which has caused ecological damage since the 1990s. Florida also employs innovative detection methods, such as solar-powered robot rabbits, to locate pythons for removal. Alongside the monthly incentive program, the annual Florida Python Challenge offers a $10,000 grand prize for the highest number of pythons removed during its 10-day event, though last year's challenge participants only removed 200 pythons in total. These combined efforts underscore the state's proactive strategies to combat the growing invasive python population threatening native wildlife.