MIAMI, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that registration for the 2022 Florida Python Challenge has opened, according to a news release from DeSantis’ press office.

The annual 10-day event will take place Aug. 5-14.

Those who wish to participate can take the required online training and register to remove invasive Burmese pythons, which are not native to Florida and negatively impact native species, from the wild while competing to win thousands of dollars in prizes.

Burmese pythons are found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem in south Florida. They prey on birds, mammals and other reptiles. Over 16,000 Burmese pythons have been removed since 2000.

DeSantis recently signed the Freedom First budget, which invests up to $3 million for python removal efforts. This includes researching and developing technologies that can detect and remove invasive pythons with near-infrared cameras.

“The Everglades is one of the world’s most prized natural resources, and we have invested record funding for Everglades restoration projects, including record funding for removal of invasive Burmese pythons which wreak havoc on the ecosystem,” said DeSantis. “Because of this focus, we have removed record numbers of invasive pythons from the Everglades. I am proud of the progress we’ve made, and I look forward to seeing the results of this year’s Python Challenge.”

Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) emphasized that removing Burmese pythons from this ecosystem is critical to the survival of the species that live in this vast wild area.

Those who participated in the 2021 Florida Python Challenge removed 223 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades, according to the news release, which is more than double the number that was removed in 2020. More than 600 people from 25 states registered for the 10-day competition in 2021.

Both professional and novice levels can enter the competition.

Register for the 2022 Florida Python Challenge, take the online training, learn more about Burmese pythons and find additional resources here.