Letter writer Mark Osman wrote about the ongoing python hunt and indicated that Zoo Miami is an “overseer” of the program. To clarify, this is a program managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the zoo isn’t an overseer of the program. At the conclusion of the hunting period, FWC will host an event taking place at the zoo property, not inside the zoo, to announce the results of the effort.

For the sake of those that may not be aware, the zoo currently displays a large python at the front of the zoo by our ticket booths, and has a number of other large snakes used in our wildlife shows and in other areas of the zoo.

We agree that non-native species can not only be a threat to our native wildlife, but also to our fragile habitats. However, we do not have the room at the zoo to accept multiple, wild caught species of this type.

Eric J. Stephens, Director, Zoo Miami, Miami