Gov. Ron DeSantis highlighted the success of Burmese python removal efforts while speaking in Stuart on Tuesday, which he says has tripled due to the success of a partnership between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Python Action Team - Removing Invasive Constrictors (PATRIC) program and Inversa to eradicate the invasive snake from the wild.
According to the governor's office, the FWC has partnered with Inversa, a Miami-based company, to assist in the state's goal of removing the Burmese python, Florida's uninvited apex predator, from the wild. Together, the state says the collaboration has helped remove more than three times the number of snakes in the last two years alone.
Inversa markets luxury-grade leather boots, wallets, belt buckles, and other products made from python skin. The partnership, due to removals, has helped boost compensation for FWC contract hunters by around 60% while reducing their overall workload by 89% over the last two years.
Expanding on its accomplishment with Inversa, Gov. DeSantis also indicated PATRIC would continue annually following the state's initial $2 million investment in 2025.
“FWC’s partnership with Inversa has supercharged the removal of invasive Burmese Pythons from the Everglades,” DeSantis said. “The new program accomplished more removals in July 2025 alone than in the entire year before. Our $2 million investment in python removal in the state budget has made this partnership possible, amplifying the success of the PATRIC program. We must now build on their achievements and continue investing in this proven strategy to protect the Everglades for many years to come.”
Under the PATRIC program, 1,022 pythons were removed from May to July alone, a full year and a half ahead of schedule, per the state. Florida also saw high success in June alone, with 748 removals.
Florida only removed 343 pythons over the same period last year.
"The success we are achieving against invasive species wouldn't be possible without the support of Governor DeSantis and the Legislature,” FWC Executive Director Roger Young said. "Thank you to the Inversa team for helping us combat this problem using emerging technological advancements."
Burmese pythons are an invasive species in Florida, meaning the snake does not belong in its environment. To stop the spread, the state has coordinated several challenges to remove the apex predator from the wild, mostly from the Everglades.
