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Florida hunter bags record 17-foot, 5-inch python

By Ben Hooper
Kyle Penniston shows off the 17-foot, 5-inch python he captured in Florida. Photo courtesy of the South Florida Water Management District
Kyle Penniston shows off the 17-foot, 5-inch python he captured in Florida. Photo courtesy of the South Florida Water Management District

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Nov. 8 (UPI) -- A hunter participating in a Burmese python hunt in Florida bagged a record-setting 17-foot, 5-inch snake as part of the state program.

The South Florida Water Management District shared a photo of Kyle Penniston posing with the snake he caught as part of the Python Elimination Program.

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Penniston, of Homestead, captured the snake late Monday night on SFWMD lands in Miami-Dade County, the district said.

The district said the total number of snakes eliminated since the program began in March 2017 has now risen to 1,859.

"Just six months after eliminating the first 1,000 pythons from District lands, this program is about to double that total because of a true team effort," said Mike Kirkland, project manager for the Python Elimination Program. "With the Governing Board's unwavering support, District staff and a dedicated group of hunters are working to help control this invasive species and protect native wildlife."

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