[Faline]

A family of four’s tranquil canoe tour of the Florida Everglades turned into a jungle adventure when their guide jumped out of the boat and wrestled a 10-and-a-half foot Burmese python.

Tommy Owens, 26, and fellow guide Warren Wortman, were taking the parents and two young girls along the river when one of the family members spotted the snake.

‘I just launched on it – ambushed it like any other predator out here,’ said Tommy, from Everglades Adventure Tours.

It was not until Tommy got to grips with the python that he realised how big it was.

‘That’s when I found out he was stronger than I was, and much bigger than I thought he was,’ Owens told NBC2.

‘I didn’t even realise it was 10 feet…I thought it was definitely bigger than me, but didn’t realise it was three times the size of my own arms.

‘We were kind of doing like a snake ju-jitsu. He’d get a coil around one arm and my other arm would uncoil him and that arm would get coiled.

‘At one point he was literally wrapped around both of my arms, I was literally handcuffed to the snake.

Tommy said the only thing in his head was ‘just to thrash and bash’.

That technique worked and eventually the snake loosened up and got tired. With Warren’s help, it was eventually subdued and euthanised.

Despite describing it as ‘pretty standard’ event, Mr Owens said the snake wrestle was the highlight of the family’s holiday.

Warren added: ‘Tommy’s always been a wild man’.

The species aren’t native to the area, but there are now an estimated 150,000 of them in the Everglades and the authorities see them as a threat to native wildlife. The state even sponsored a month-long amateur hunt earlier this year.

‘They kill our native species, and this is our home, I’d rather our native species feed here,’ said Tommy.

The pair turned the dead snake over to the Big Cypress National Preserve, where it will be tested.

[Konglomo]

Steve Irwin was a terrible influence on my generation. I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing.

[Viking64]

I'm staying in the fucking car, thanks.

[Darkest Angel]

Originally Posted by Konglomo ↗

Steve Irwin was a terrible influence on my generation. I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing.

Agreed!! I caught a snake today. Always like to give my family a show. Of course it was just a garter snake!

[kellyhound]

150,000 of them now. wow

[ices]

err what?

He jumped out of the boat, wrestled with it, lost the fight because he is a stupid cunt and then had it put down.


Ok, did I miss something here? Why was it put down.

[Pie]

Fuck that, I'd pass out just at the sight of that thing.

[FredFlintstone]

The twat should've just left it in the river, he just wanted to show off...and now is gloating like he's some kind of hero because he's protected other species. The guy is talking shite

[Hobbslefthand]

Originally Posted by ices ↗

Ok, did I miss something here? Why was it put down.

Illegal immigrant.
The alligators are saying "Day dook'r derbs!"

[candymosh]

Originally Posted by ices ↗

err what?

He jumped out of the boat, wrestled with it, lost the fight because he is a stupid cunt and then had it put down.


Ok, did I miss something here? Why was it put down.

invasive species