Expert: Pythons could live on Gasparilla Island
By TERRRY O'CONNOR toconnor@breezenewspaper.com
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Fact Box
Python hunting permit conditions
Florida will issue python-hunting permits for use on state-managed lands in January. The FWC renewed last year's initial program with some new wrinkles:
n Permit holders now must be Florida residents and have a reptile of concern permit, digital camera and a GPS unit.
n They also must have experience in capturing wild snakes, handling large constrictors, euthanizing reptiles and working in remote areas.
n Hunters must photograph and mark GPS locations, photograph and describe stomach contents of euthanized snakes, file reports with the FWC within 36 hours of capture, and euthanize pythons onsite, transport live pythons to be euthanized at a location with veterinary facilities or deliver live pythons to a licensed recipient.
n Permit holders must make at least five trips each calendar quarter and visit each WMA at least twice during the year.
Boca Grande is not necessarily protected by its relative isolation from the python invasion in Southwest Florida. Burmese pythons are a nonnative species to Florida but have spread throughout the Everglades region with populations estimated in the thousands.
Patricia Behnke of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the chances a python could land on Gasparilla Island are growing. They love typical island weather conditions and food supply would not be a problem.
"They can survive anywhere in Florida," Behnke said. "They could, theoretically, live on Gasparilla Island. What we've been finding in stomach contents are rodents and possums."
But the density of the island population would work against the large snake from actually being able to establish a residence here. Pythons much prefer isolated habitats sans humans, said Scott Hardin, FWC exotic species section leader.
"It's not like the Everglades where they can hide out," Hardin said. "They'd likely be seen by someone on Gasparilla Island and that would work against them."
Gasparilla Island residents can get a permit to shoot pythons if they agree to a few conditions. Florida will issue python-hunting permits for use on state-managed lands in January in a renewal of last year's initial program.
"We were able to collect some initial data during the first phase of this program that will help us determine the extent of the population on state-managed lands," said Hardin. "We want to continue allowing experts out there to ensure this exotic species does not spread any farther north in Florida."
The FWC issued 15 permits this year for capturing Burmese pythons and other reptiles of concern on specific state-managed lands in South Florida. Ten permit holders actually made trips on the wildlife management areas, capturing 39 Burmese pythons. No other reptiles of concern were found. The original permit for the 10 who made trips has been extended through 2009 and they are eligible to apply for the new permit.
Permit holders now must be Florida residents and have a reptile of concern permit, digital camera and a GPS unit. They also must have experience in capturing wild snakes, handling large constrictors, euthanizing reptiles and working in remote areas. Permit holders are required to photograph and mark GPS locations, photograph and describe stomach contents of euthanized snakes, file reports with the FWC within 36 hours of capture, and euthanize pythons onsite or transport live pythons to be euthanized at a location with veterinary facilities or deliver live pythons to a licensed recipient.
Permit holders will be required to make at least five trips each calendar quarter. They also must visit each WMA at least twice during the year.
Other reptiles of concern include Indian python, reticulated python, African rock python (southern and northern), amethystine or scrub python, green anaconda and Nile monitor lizard. Reptiles of concern may be kept as pets in Florida but owners are required to have a $100 annual permit from the FWC, which mandates caging requirements. Reptiles of concern more than 2 inches in diameter must be implanted with a microchip that identifies the animal. It is unlawful to allow them to escape or to release them into the wild.
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