Nearly 200 invasive snakes are removed from Florida during the annual python challenge.

In August, over 190 Burmese pythons were eliminated from the Everglades in South Florida as part of an annual effort to eliminate the invasive species from the ecosystem.

In 2021, the Florida Python Challenge drew 857 participants from 33 states and Canada, and collectively, the competitors eliminated 195 Burmese pythons.

Ronald Kiger won the $10,000 grand prize for removing 20 pythons from the Everglades during a 10-day hunt aimed at raising awareness about the threat these snakes pose to the ecosystem.

Last year, Kiger finished second in the challenge, behind the winner of the grand prize.

On Tuesday morning in Duck Key, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission declared Kiger as the grand prize winner.

"The success of the 2024 Florida Python Challenge was a collective achievement, made possible by the contributions of more than 800 participants, the dedicated efforts of our staff, the invaluable support from our partners and the dedicated leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis. Over 14,000 pythons have been successfully removed by FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors since 2017. This collective effort continues to have a direct positive impact on the Everglades and our native wildlife through removal and awareness."

The grand prize was won by Kiger, and competitors were divided into three categories: novice, professional, and military, with additional money awarded accordingly.

Donna Kalil, a contractor with the South Florida Water Management District, won $2,500 for catching 19 pythons in the professional category, just one python away from tying with Kiger.

Marcos Rodriguez, who was also entered in the professional category, captured 16 pythons for $1,500, and Quentin Archie won $1,000 for catching the longest python at 8 feet, 11 inches. Dennis Krum, who caught the longest python in the novice category and in the entire competition at 9 feet, 11 inches, also won $1,000.

In the novice category, Thomas Hobbs won $2,500 for catching 16 Burmese pythons, and in the military category, Jeff Lince won $2,500 for catching five pythons. Furthermore, Antonio Ramos won $1,000 for catching the longest python in the military group at 9 feet, 7 inches.

Hunters were required to humanely kill Burmese pythons during the August challenge and submit the carcasses to any of the three check stations in South Florida.

Hunters were offered great incentives for participating in the challenge, but it also served as a chance to educate the public about the dangers of Burmese pythons and how they can harm native animals and have high mercury levels that are harmful to humans.

The FWC states that Burmese pythons, despite not being native to Florida, have a detrimental impact on the Everglades ecosystem and native species, with a female Burmese capable of laying 50 to 100 eggs.

The FWC announced that in addition to the Florida Python Challenge, residents can control non-native species by removing and humanely killing pythons on private land with permission from the landowner and on 25 commission-managed lands in south Florida.

Reporting non-native fish and wildlife to the FWC's Invasive Species Hotline can be done through various methods, including calling 1-888-483-4681, visiting IveGot1.org online, or downloading the IveGot1 smartphone app.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.