State officials hailed the 2016 Python Challenge as a success Saturday as they recognized winners in several categories.
More than 1,000 people from 29 states took part in the monthlong competition, which removed 106 Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem, up from 68 during the first hunt in 2013. The snakes are not native to Florida and prey on other wildlife.
A team led by Bill Booth won the grand prize in the team category by capturing 33 pythons. It received a $5,000 prize. Other team members were Duane Clark, Dusty Crum and Craig Nicks.
Booth and his team also won the longest python prize of $3,000 with a 15-foot snake.
Daniel Moniz captured 13 pythons himself for top individual honors. He received a prize of $3,500.
Moniz also pocketed $1,000 for capturing a 13-foot 8.7-inch snake by himself, the longest snake caught by one person. Jack Merwin took second in the competition with a python measuring 13 foot, 0.77 inch.
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