Talk NERRDy to Me: Python Huntress

Photo courtesy PythonHuntress.com.

Talk NERRdy to Me is a monthly column about leaders and luminaries from across our 30 Reserves. This month, cub reporter (and shadow ruler of NERRA communications) Lola Jalbert caught up with Amy Siewe, Southwest Florida’s one and only Python Huntress.® Siewe has made a career of hunting the invasive Burmese pythons plaguing the Everglades and turned that into a fundraising force for the Rookery Bay Reserve. They talked about what drives her work, why the world needs more Rookery Bay Reserves, and the fine art of smiling for a photo with something that could eat you.

Lola: Let’s start at the beginning, how does a person become the Python Huntress?

Amy: It started with my dad. He taught me how to catch critters when I was young, and that turned into a bit of an obsession. Later on, I learned about invasive pythons in Florida and how big of a problem they were becoming. At the time, I was working in real estate, but the thrill of the hunt really pulled me in. When I first moved to Florida in 2019, I caught a 9-foot python almost right away. I didn’t fully understand then how serious the issue was; it just felt wild and exciting. But over time, I started to see how devastating these snakes are to the ecosystem.

Lola: What makes pythons such a problem?

Amy: A single python can consume hundreds of animals over its lifetime. They eat mammals, birds, everything. It’s heartbreaking to see how much the ecosystem has changed even in the time I’ve lived in Florida. Pythons have been coming in since the 1970’s as part of the exotic pet trade. In ‘92 there was a hurricane that blew away a breeding facility and sent 900 pythons into the same general vicinity of the Everglades. Now there are an estimated 500,000 pythons in Florida, and about 97% of them are in areas humans can’t even access. By the time we realized how big the problem was, it was too late to contain it easily. Florida is just a perfect habitat for them. 

Lola: Your work also supports conservation. How does that happen?

Amy: One of the biggest ways I contribute is by donating guided python hunts to charity auctions. Guests bid on the experience, and the proceeds go directly to organizations like the Rookery Bay Reserve. We’ve raised as much as $155,000 from a single auction, and I’ve done this multiple times. It’s a great way to turn what I do into something that directly supports research and conservation.

Lola: What drew you to the Rookery Bay Reserve?

Amy: When I first started donating hunts, an auctioneer encouraged me to get involved with more organizations. The Reserve stood out because their mission really aligns with what I see happening in the field. They’re doing the monitoring and research that’s so critical. 

Lola: Do you work directly with the Reserve on projects?

Amy: We operate in parallel. I focus on taking people out, teaching them what’s really involved in python hunting, and helping them understand the issue. Meanwhile, Rookery Bay is doing the research that hopefully leads to scalable solutions in the future.

Lola: Are we actually making a dent in the python population?

Amy: It’s a tough answer. Realistically, no. It can take 10 hours just to find and catch one python. But every single one matters. It takes a python 3 years to grow 10 feet, and has to consume 200 animals to grow that big. They live for 25+ years. Removing even one makes a difference. Maybe we’re slowing the inevitable, but that time is valuable as it gives researchers more time to figure out better solutions.

Lola: What do people misunderstand most about python hunting?

Amy: There’s a huge misconception that you can just walk into the swamp and catch a bunch of pythons. In reality, it’s incredibly difficult. Not everyone can find them, and handling large pythons safely requires skill and experience. It’s a lot of work, and that’s something I try to show people when I take them out. 

There’s also this idea that it’s about killing snakes for fun, and that couldn’t be further from the truth. Most people in this business love snakes. If there were another way to deal with the problem, we would do that. I treat the animals with respect. Even though we have to euthanize them, it’s done humanely. When I take photos with a python, people see me smiling, but that’s not because I’m happy to kill it. It’s because it’s so difficult to do what we do. Catching one is a win for the Everglades. 

Lola: You also engage the public directly through your hunts. Why is that important?

Amy: There’s so much misinformation out there, on social media, TV, everywhere. People don’t really understand what’s involved. By bringing people out with me, they get to see firsthand how challenging it is and how serious the issue is. It turns abstract ideas into something real.

Lola: Final thoughts—what should people take away from all of this?

Amy: This is a complex problem, and it’s not going away overnight. But every effort counts, whether it’s research, education, or removal. We all have the same goal: protect Florida’s native wildlife. If organizations like the Rookery Bay Reserve can find a long-term solution, then everything we’re doing now is helping buy the time needed to get there.

Photos courtesy PythonHuntress.com.