Giant Anaconda Species Uncovered in the Amazon by Scientists Filming Disney+ Docuseries
A team of scientists from The University of Queensland has made a groundbreaking discovery deep in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador. While filming a Disney+ docuseries called ‘Pole to Pole with Will Smith,’ the scientists uncovered a nearly 10 million-year-old species of giant anaconda, believed to be the largest in the world. Led by Professor Bryan Fry, the team received assistance from the indigenous Huaorani people during their expedition.
The expedition was a rare opportunity, as the Huaorani Chief Penti Baihua granted the team permission to enter the Baihuaeri Huaorani Territory. This invitation marked one of only a few granted since the tribe’s initial contact in 1958. The Huaorani people consider anacondas sacred, and Chief Baihua led the team on a 10-day search for these magnificent creatures.
Navigating through the dense jungle, the team embarked on canoes down the river in the Bameno region. As they ventured deeper into the Amazon, they encountered several anacondas lurking in the shallows, patiently waiting for their prey. The team successfully captured multiple specimens of the newly discovered species, which they named the northern green anaconda (Eunectes akayima).
Professor Fry explained that understanding this discovery requires knowledge of the geographic range of anaconda species. The Amazon has two separate basins, with the larger basin in the south being home to the green anaconda. The newly discovered northern green anaconda resides in the smaller basin in the north. These two species differ genetically by 5.5%, a significant difference comparable to humans differing from chimpanzees by only about 2%.
Rumors have circulated among the Huaorani people of even larger snakes in the area, measuring over 7.5 meters long and weighing around 500 kilograms. Chief Baihua’s son, Marcelo Tepeña Baihua, bears scars from an encounter with a snake of that size. Professor Fry believes that the snakes in the Huaorani lands are indeed the largest of all anacondas.
The team’s findings have been published in a scientific paper titled MDPI Diversity. However, their work in the Amazon is far from over. The delicate ecosystem of the Yasuni Amazon has been affected by pollutants such as cadmium and lead due to frequent oil spills. Professor Fry and his team aim to monitor the reproduction of the northern green anaconda to gain a deeper understanding of the ecosystem’s overall health.
Future expeditions will focus on collecting and analyzing soil, water, and biological samples. By utilizing cutting-edge techniques, the team hopes to trace the pathways of these contaminants and study their effects on the Amazon’s wildlife. This research will provide valuable insights into the long-term consequences of exposure and aid in developing strategies to mitigate these effects.
Despite the uncertain future of this newly discovered species, Professor Fry expressed his enthusiasm for the journey through the jungle. He shared, “I like nothing better than being overheated and under-washed while wading through swamps in search of giant snakes. This discovery is the highlight of my career.”
The discovery of this giant anaconda species highlights the importance of preserving the Amazon rainforest and its unique biodiversity. As scientists continue to explore this vast ecosystem, they uncover hidden wonders that remind us of the need to protect and conserve these natural treasures for future generations.