By Ranjan Bhaduri
Florida, Mar 9, (THAINDIAN NEWS) The hunters who have a penchant for killing the big reptiles can rejoice as the special hunting season for killing Pythons has started in Florida once again. Until April 17th, people who have license for hunting can take part in the program after paying $26 for the permit. The hunting takes place on Everglades in Florida. The administration in the state has become more flexible to allow more hunters participate in the program and kill as many number of the pythons and other snakes as possible. The state has also arranged for a special workshop to train the novice hunters to effectively identify and kill the species of pythons and other large snakes.

The hunters are allowed to kill species like African rock pythons, Burmese Pythons, Nile monitor lizards and green anacondas. The demand for the snake skin is high in the area and the regional tanners are willing to pay around $5 to $10 for each foot of snake skin. Leading leather brands use snake skin in manufacturing their products. However, the hunters are supposed to report about each snake they stalk and kill, to the wildlife commission. Last year around 39 pythons were seized and killed but it was not enough. An estimated 150,000 Burmese Pythons exist in Florida and such a huge number of reptiles can cause damage to the ecosystem.

The pythons are powerful reptiles and they are capable of attacking and killing large animals, including humans. Therefore, the hunters need to carry adequate weapons and equipments required to capture the giant reptiles without much difficulty.