The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is planning to bring back its Python Challenge in 2016. The FWC has asked Florida people to come and participate in the event in which they will capture or at least spot Burmese Pythons.

Last time, the python challenge was organized in 2017. In that event, there were around 1,600 participants who caught 68 snakes. Though the number was not much, scientists called a feat. Biologist Cheryl Millett who took part in the 2013 challenge said that the number of pythons captured that time was little more than he has expected.

FWC Exotic Species Coordination Section Leader Kristen Sommers said that registration for next year's event will open in October and the event itself will take place not before than January. Sommers said that main aim of the challenge is to raise and maintain public awareness of the problems posed by pythons to the Everglades.

"We definitely want to increase public awareness about Burmese Pythons. This is an opportunity to engage the public in a conservation effort", said Sommers. It has been clarified that the event is not a hunting event and it would not be framed as a hunting activity, and is more for the public.

No hunting licenses are required and people can take part in the event by how to identify the snakes. They can inform the FWC to capture and remove the snake. Sommers said that they have experts who will teach how to capture a snake and handle the same. It would also be taught as how to identify them in the field.

Burmese pythons first appeared in the 1980s and since then, they have caused a lot of damage by wiping out many small mammals in the Everglades.