Post by ogbohica on Feb 22, 2024 8:31:40 GMT -5
This is the unofficial largest snake captured in the 2023 Python Challenge. It measured 16’+ on multiple occasions (including by a super experienced 3rd party).
Do you know why you never saw it as the OFFICIAL snake in the winners circle?
Because FWC disqualified me for allegedly turning in a “live snake”.
After night 2, I turned in 4 snakes after an exciting night, including the big girl pictured here. I rolled up to the check station to turn in the snakes in front of a small crowd of spectators hoping to see a python. Plenty of witnesses. The dead snakes were belly up in the tub, lifeless, on display for all to see. Many pictures and videos were taken.
Miraculously I get a call the next day telling me that the ~7’ snake was “trying to get away from them”, which is grounds for disqualification from the challenge. This is utterly absurd.
I tell them that I have video of me following the official “2 step method” euthanizing that snake.
.
Why would I video such a thing?!
.
Because they pulled this same stunt on me for the 2022 Python Challenge, and have done it to many others as well.
.
However, even when they hear that I have multiple witnesses of the humane killing and clear video proof, they completely fail to consider any of that evidence. In addition, they refused to tell me if I’ve been disqualified or not until after the challenge is over. Even though this happened at the start of the challenge, they encouraged me to continue catching and turning in snakes for the challenge. (Seems odd if I’m allegedly inhumanely killing snakes, don’t you think?)
.
Well before they announced the awards, I tried following up and sent another email offering the video evidence.
I didn’t hear from them AT ALL until immediately AFTER they announce the winners. Absurd. Cowards.
.
Things escalate from here because of how ridiculous they are acting, with complete failure to acknowledge evidence that exonerates the accused (me) from any wrongdoing. They deliberately withheld my monthly invoice that month, they claim that the snake in the picture is only 14’ 8” (total BS, and this effects earnings) and then send me a warning letter threatening to release me as a contractor because I inhumanely killed that snake. Unreal.
Have you ever been wrongly accused of something that you have proof of? Due process anyone?
.
I have kept silent on these matters until now because I wanted to stay professional, and handle things through the proper channels, but I’m now done with that. They couldn’t care less.
.
I’ve filed official complaints against FWC PATRIC leadership, simultaneously RESIGNED from my position as a contractor, and also publicly spoken to the commissioners at the December 5th meeting in Orlando.
FWC, being a government agency, feels they have a “do whatever they want and get away with it” pass, and they act on it routinely.
.
I’ll be releasing more details and many videos unpacking the story in the near future.
I hope that through these videos and evidence being released, FWC will do the right thing and reach out to me to try to make it right.
To this day, they STILL haven’t seen the video of the humane killing. I’d say it’s obvious why they don’t want to see it.
The more people that share these stories, the more likely it might make an impact.
I’m not the first victim of this pattern of behavior, and I won’t be the last. It is time for a changing of the guard in the current FWC Python leadership.
The entire team of contractors doing great work out there deserve better. Shout out to all of you Python hunters working hard to help save the native wildlife.
Please tell me your similar stories and experiences with FWC and the Python Challenge.
MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife
#fwc #pythonchallenge #wrongdoing #accountability
Do you know why you never saw it as the OFFICIAL snake in the winners circle?
Because FWC disqualified me for allegedly turning in a “live snake”.
After night 2, I turned in 4 snakes after an exciting night, including the big girl pictured here. I rolled up to the check station to turn in the snakes in front of a small crowd of spectators hoping to see a python. Plenty of witnesses. The dead snakes were belly up in the tub, lifeless, on display for all to see. Many pictures and videos were taken.
Miraculously I get a call the next day telling me that the ~7’ snake was “trying to get away from them”, which is grounds for disqualification from the challenge. This is utterly absurd.
I tell them that I have video of me following the official “2 step method” euthanizing that snake.
.
Why would I video such a thing?!
.
Because they pulled this same stunt on me for the 2022 Python Challenge, and have done it to many others as well.
.
However, even when they hear that I have multiple witnesses of the humane killing and clear video proof, they completely fail to consider any of that evidence. In addition, they refused to tell me if I’ve been disqualified or not until after the challenge is over. Even though this happened at the start of the challenge, they encouraged me to continue catching and turning in snakes for the challenge. (Seems odd if I’m allegedly inhumanely killing snakes, don’t you think?)
.
Well before they announced the awards, I tried following up and sent another email offering the video evidence.
I didn’t hear from them AT ALL until immediately AFTER they announce the winners. Absurd. Cowards.
.
Things escalate from here because of how ridiculous they are acting, with complete failure to acknowledge evidence that exonerates the accused (me) from any wrongdoing. They deliberately withheld my monthly invoice that month, they claim that the snake in the picture is only 14’ 8” (total BS, and this effects earnings) and then send me a warning letter threatening to release me as a contractor because I inhumanely killed that snake. Unreal.
Have you ever been wrongly accused of something that you have proof of? Due process anyone?
.
I have kept silent on these matters until now because I wanted to stay professional, and handle things through the proper channels, but I’m now done with that. They couldn’t care less.
.
I’ve filed official complaints against FWC PATRIC leadership, simultaneously RESIGNED from my position as a contractor, and also publicly spoken to the commissioners at the December 5th meeting in Orlando.
FWC, being a government agency, feels they have a “do whatever they want and get away with it” pass, and they act on it routinely.
.
I’ll be releasing more details and many videos unpacking the story in the near future.
I hope that through these videos and evidence being released, FWC will do the right thing and reach out to me to try to make it right.
To this day, they STILL haven’t seen the video of the humane killing. I’d say it’s obvious why they don’t want to see it.
The more people that share these stories, the more likely it might make an impact.
I’m not the first victim of this pattern of behavior, and I won’t be the last. It is time for a changing of the guard in the current FWC Python leadership.
The entire team of contractors doing great work out there deserve better. Shout out to all of you Python hunters working hard to help save the native wildlife.
Please tell me your similar stories and experiences with FWC and the Python Challenge.
MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife
#fwc #pythonchallenge #wrongdoing #accountability
