Florida Uses Robo-Rabbits, Hunts to Fight Pythons

Florida is combating invasive Burmese pythons in the Everglades through public hunting challenges, contract bounty hunters, and new technological approaches. The annual Python Challenge, organized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, incentivizes participants to capture and kill pythons for cash prizes, resulting in over 10,000 removals since 2017. Scientists from the University of Florida and the South Florida Water Management District have developed remote-controlled, solar-powered robotic rabbits that mimic heat and scent to lure pythons for removal. These robotic rabbits are equipped with cameras to detect and notify authorities when pythons are present, increasing removal efficiency. While researchers acknowledge that complete eradication is unlikely, these combined efforts aim to reduce the species' destructive impact on the ecosystem. The robotic rabbit project remains in the experimental stage as part of broader control strategies.