The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission announced a month-long hunt for Burmese pythons in the state. The Commission's 2013 Python Challenge starts on January 12, and invites licensed hunters to participate for a $25 fee. A grand prize of $1,500 will be granted to the hunter who kills the most snakes, and a reward of $1,000 will go to the hunter who kills the longest snake.
Hunters are encouraged to kill the snakes with shots to the back of the head, or by chopping their heads off with a machete.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission fears that the invasive snakes may destroy the state's balance of wildlife. While this is a legitimate concern, the snakes can be controlled through non-lethal methods such as relocation. Please sign the petition to convince the Commission to call off their python killing contest.
Dear Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission,
We, the undersigned, are concerned about the 2013 Python Challenge that will start on January 12 of next year.
We understand that licensed hunters will be encouraged to kill snakes with shots to the back of the head, or by chopping their heads off with a machete, and that hunters will receive cash prizes for killing the most snakes, and for killing the longest snake.
We understand your concern that the invasive snakes may destroy the state's balance of wildlife. We realize that pythons are feeding on endangered species, and we don't want that to continue. However, we believe the snakes can be controlled through non-lethal methods such as relocation. We respectfully urge you to call off the python killing contest and instead focus on cruelty-free control methods. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
