Croatian-American cousins capture world record-long python in Florida
- by croatiaweek
- in News
(Photo credit: Private album/supplied)
First cousins with Croatian roots living in Florida have captured the state’s longest-ever python.
Jake Waleri and Stephen Gauta, who are known also as the “Glades Boys” captured a record-breaking 19 feet long Burmese python which weighed a whopping 125 pounds.
According to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, the dimensions of the snake have been verified, establishing it as the “officially the longest ever documented.” This particular Burmese python surpasses the previous record-holder, which measured 18 feet and 9 inches in length.
Jake Waleri and Andrew Sokolowski (Photo credit: Private album/supplied)
Cousins Jake and Stephen, who have Croatian roots from Kukljica on the island of Ugljan and Ždrelac on the island of Pašman, found the snake in Big Cypress National Preserve on July 10.
A captured video shows how he pulled the colossal python out of roadside grass, engaging in a struggle with the snake’s attempts to bite. Following the guidance of wildlife officials, the snake was ultimately killed.
(Screenshot/Glades Boys/Instagram)
“Giant is an understatement for this beast. She clocked in at 579 cm/ 19 feet flat and 125 lbs. even just being able to see a snake this large would be a dream,” Waleri and Gauta posted on Instagram.
(Photo credit: Private album/supplied)
Stephen and Jake (Photo credit: Private album/supplied)
“It’s awesome to be able to make an impact on South Florida’s environment. We love this ecosystem and try to preserve it as much as possible,” Jake added.
Florida has long been plagued by the presence of invasive Burmese pythons, which are nonvenomous constrictors predominantly inhabiting the Everglades region in the southern part of the state. Renowned as one of the world’s largest snake species, these pythons typically measure between 6 to 9 feet in Florida, making the recently documented record-holder roughly three times that length.
They pose a significant menace to the local wildlife, devouring mammals, birds, and even alligators, with humans being their primary adversaries.
(Photo credit: Private album/supplied)
Given the substantial ecological threat they pose, the state authorities strongly recommend capturing and humanely dispatching these pythons. To aid in this endeavor, the state provides free training through the “Python Patrol” program, equipping individuals with knowledge on identifying the snakes, reporting sightings, and employing humane killing techniques. Legal methods of euthanizing the pythons require inducing immediate loss of consciousness before rendering a final blow to the brain.
Check out the video below.
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