He caught a 17-foot python in Florida, but this snake hunter caught a love of nature in Cincinnati – WCPO 9 Cincinnati
OCHOPEE, Fla. — Alex McDuffie grew up chasing and catching snakes throughout the Tri-State, however he recently caught his largest but in south Florida.
“I even have been catching snakes my complete life And that i even have been Looking for pythons for hours and hours every week since I moved down right here principally,” he said. “Proper as You start To actually assume, ‘Maybe I am going to by no means get one,’ That is As quickly as I ended up getting it.”
Now, McDuffie is a python eradicating contractor for the South Florida Water Administration District.
Yep, He is a python hunter.
What McDuffie found on patrol in Huge Cypress Nationwide Protect in mid-July would Finish in two of In all probability the Most nice night occasions in his profession. First, he found dozens of python hatchlings and eggs Inside the reserve, with A ten-foot momma python close by. He and Florida Fish and Wildlife officer Matthew Rubenstein found one other nest of dozens of hatched eggs.
Florida Fish and Wildlife
FWC officer Matthew Rubenstein and python hunter – and Cincinnati native – Alex McDuffie Uncover A ten foot python in Huge Cypress Nationwide Protect. Photograph provided.
The subsequent Evening time, McDuffie And Another hunters noticed The big mom at 17 ft And 6 inches prolonged. It took all of them To grab and management it.
“It was loopy, man. It was pulling us,” he said.” I had my arms wrapped round it and it was dragging me by way of the swamp. It was superior.”
McDuffie grew up in Montgomery and spent summers as a camper, After which camp counselor, On the Cincinnati Nature Center. He was featured in a …….