She does it again and it’s not her record! Woman captures 16 pythons in Florida in May

While some avoid even the fireflies, Donna Kalil, a woman from Florida, has become a true snake hunter. In just the month of May, she removed 16 Burmese pythons, an invasive species that threatens the fragile ecosystem of the Everglades, and took home $1,000 for her feat.

Kalil is part of a state program that recruits citizens to combat a silent and dangerous plague. Pythons, which can grow longer than five meters and consume everything from birds to alligators, have no natural predators in South Florida, making them a direct threat to local wildlife.

The bravery of this woman, who is not afraid of these cold-blooded beasts, gives a human face to the effort to save the biodiversity of the state.

However, although this number may seem like an achievement, Kalil, holds a record from July of last year, when he caught 72 Burmese pythons, in what he described as an "exceptional" month for hunting these constrictors.

"It has been an incredible experience, and I hope to continue the mission of removing as many pythons as possible to make a positive difference in the native wildlife,” wrote Kalil in a Facebook post that quickly went viral among nature lovers, environmental advocates, and the curious.

In September of the same year, during the Florida Python Challenge, Kalil was just one python away from winning the grand prize of $10,000.

The recognition went to Ronald Kiger, who eliminated 20 Burmese pythons in the Everglades and won the top award of the annual challenge, which aims to curb the advance of this invasive species in the ecosystem of South Florida. Kalil, however, received a prize of $2,500 in the professional category, once again demonstrating why he is a living legend among snake hunters.

Kalil leads a female environmental control group called "Everglades Avengers," which has already removed nearly a thousand snakes since taking on the mission to protect native wildlife.

More than competition: it is a crusade for wildlife

Burmese pythons are not native to Florida. Their presence, resulting from irresponsible human introductions, has caused a collapse in species such as raccoons, birds, and deer, which are part of the delicate balance in the Everglades. A single female can lay between 50 and 100 eggs, making their control an environmental urgency.

“Eliminating these pythons directly benefits Florida's wildlife”, stated Rodney Barreto, president of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which reports more than 22,000 snakes removed since the year 2000.

Frequently Asked Questions about Python Hunting in Florida