Wexler Statement on Burmese Pythons

Congressman Robert Wexler released the following statement on his cosponsorship of H.R. 2811:

"Two year-old Shaiunna Hare was recently killed by her family’s pet Burmese Python in their central Florida home when it escaped out of its container and targeted the small child. Her death is a tragedy, and I would like to convey to the family that my thoughts and prayers are with them in this traumatic time of grief. The sad fact is that this is not an isolated incident, and communities around our state are increasingly facing the danger posed by the domesticated and wild populations of these non-indigenous reptiles.

"Because the Burmese Python is naturally an insatiable predator in the wild, this animal is not suited to life as a pet. In the last decade, some 100,000 of these pythons, usually no more than 20 in. long, were imported into the country to be kept as pets. Within the first year, the small hatchlings can grow to 8 feet long, continuing to grow up to 20 feet long and weighing 250 lbs. Unless properly fed and contained in a sufficiently large tank, pythons can escape from their containers, posing a great risk to not only other pets but also to the residents of that home. The Hare tragedy is one of many cases that demonstrate to us the great threat posed by these creatures.

"To help prevent future dangers to families, I am supporting a bill that would include the Burmese Python on the list of “injurious animals” (H.R. 2811). This will immediately halt the shipment and import of these exotic snakes into the country, stopping the growth of the total python population. Overtime, Burmese Python ownership will decrease, placing more of our children out of harm’s way.

"The other issue involving the Burmese Python problem is their growing presence among Florida’s wildlife and the threat they present to communities bordering these areas. The ecosystems of South Florida, particularly the Everglades and the costal mangrove forests, benefit from a rich diversity of indigenous reptile wildlife, including the famed American Alligator. The Burmese Python, however, is not naturally part of this environment. Unless contained and systematically removed from these environments, these creatures can alter forever the fragile balance found in our protected forests and swamps. More importantly, pythons are finding their way back into the developed residential areas along the Everglades and are preying upon small pets, livestock, and even children.

"With H.R. 2811 and the continued efforts of state officials to remove these animals from the wild and contain this menace, I hope we will be able to successfully combat and to contain the growing Burmese Python problem."

###

back to Front Page Entries