A monster-sized anaconda that may be the largest in the world was discovered in the Ecuadorian Amazon – during filming for a travel documentary hosted by Will Smith.
The nearly 10-million-year-old reptile, newly named northern green anaconda or eunectes akayima was found by a team of scientists from The University of Queensland and the indigenous Huaorani people in the Bameno region of Baihuaeri Waorani Territory, according to a press release issued last week.
“The size of these magnificent creatures was incredible – one female anaconda we encountered measured an astounding 6.3 meters (20.6 feet) long,” lead scientist professor Bryan Fry said.
The scientists made the discovery after receiving the “rare invitation” from the Waorani people to search for anacondas while filming “Pole to Pole with Will Smith,” a National Geographic series streaming on Disney+.
“The indigenous hunters took us into the jungle on a 10-day expedition to search for these snakes, which they consider sacred,” Fry said.
“We paddled canoes down the river system and were lucky enough to find several anacondas lurking in the shallows, lying in wait for prey.”
The northern green anaconda species diverged from the southern green anaconda almost 10 million years ago, and they differ genetically by 5.5%, according to Fry, who explained the significance of the new species by pointing out that humans only differ from chimpanzees genetically by about 2%.
“There are anecdotal reports from the Waorani people of other anacondas in the area measuring more than 7.5 meters (25 feet) long and weighing around 500 kilograms (1100 pounds),” said Fry, who called the discovery “the highlight of my career.”
The historic finding came as scientists set to use the new species as an indicator for ecosystem health in the Amazon, which is facing “alarming” deforestation, Fry said.
“Deforestation of the Amazon basin from agricultural expansion has resulted in an estimated 20-31 per cent habitat loss, which may impact up to 40 per cent of its forests by 2050,” he said.
Forest fires, drought, climate change and petrochemicals from oil spills are also believed to be threatening native wildlife in the Amazon.
“The discovery of a new species of anaconda is exciting, but it is critical to highlight the urgent need to further research these threatened species and ecosystems,” Fry said.
“It’s not only these gigantic snakes that are facing environmental threats, but almost all living things in the region.”
A research paper on the findings was published on Feb. 16 in MDPI Diversity, a peer-reviewed, open access science journal.