Decades ago, a massive python invasion
of the Florida Everglades began
humans who had bought baby pythons for pets
released them when they got too big to handle
gradually the pythons mated and exploded
into tens of thousands
and began eliminating raccoons, opossums and rabbits
upsetting the everglades fragile ecosystem
hunters recruited for bounties and millions of dollars spent
with little effect in halting the python invasion
after weeks of the plan only 68 pythons eliminated
the program ineffective, the costs exorbitant
two python detecting dogs recruited next
a better plan but not good enough
hundreds of dog teams needed to cover all of the everglades
a sprawling 1.5 million-acre wetlands
costing millions of dollars and requiring constant maintenance
the costs and the maintenance unmanageable
after which real indigenous rabbits in secure cages were used
to lure the pythons out of their hideouts
menacing pythons began to surround the terrified rabbits
a public outcry saved the rabbits, ended the experiment
giving rise to a better plan with robo-rabbits in cages
armed with high tech mapping, rabbit-like fur and rabbit scents
so far the program a success less costly and efficient
but uncertain if it will rid the wetlands of the pesky pythons.
Bob Boyd