MyOutdoorTV.com

Camera crew covering exotic species hunt gets attacked, well, by another exotic species.

From WFOR-TV, Miami:

A news crew with the CBS station WFOR-TV in Miami was reporting on an invasion of non-native species of snakes when it got into trouble with another non-native species: a swarm of African killer bees.

Working with a snake hunter, a WFOR-TV reporter and photographer ran into a hive before being chased about a half-mile down the road. If that wasn't bad enough, the reporter lost his wedding ring in the commotion that surrounded the bee attack.

The team was hunting a half-dozen invasive snake species that have established a foothold in South Florida and devastated the populations of some of its native wildlife, WFOR-TV reports. According to state estimates, there are roughly 125,000 non-native pythons that are crawling around in the Everglades.

"They're ambushers," said snake hunter Mitchell Schall. "They're going to hang out and wait around for some rabbits, mice...a human."

Anyone with a hunting license and a $26 management area permit can take part in snake hunting. Snakes on the target list include Burmese pythons, the Indian python, northern and south African rock pythons, reticulated pythons, scrub pythons, green anacondas and Nile monitor lizards. Hunters must report each kill to the wildlife commission.

As for the dead snakes, local tanners say they will pay $5to $10 per foot.

Snake hunting season runs through April 17, WFOR-TV reports.