Half of the winners in this year’s Python Challenge were women, the highest number of huntresses to take home prizes in the annual contest that pits wits and skill as much as muscle against the slithering scourge of the Everglades.

Donna Kalil, a contract hunter for the South Florida Water Management District, nabbed 56 snakes during the Python Challenge between July 11 and July 20. She brought in 19 during the 2024 contest when the event was held Aug. 9 through Aug. 18. The grand prize winner last year nabbed 20 snakes.

The 2025 Florida Python Challenge featured 934 participants from 30 states and Canada, who removed 294 invasive Burmese pythons from South Florida, including Everglades National Park. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials say more than 16,