A 26-foot long and 440-pound northern green anaconda, believed to be one of the largest in the world, has recently been discovered dead in the Formoso River in Bonito, Brazil. The reptile, named Ana Julia, was found during filming for the National Geographics Disney+ series ‘Pole to Pole’ with Will Smith.
Professor Freek Vonk, who shared the sad news on Instagram, emphasized that Ana Julia was a strong and healthy animal that could have contributed to the species for years to come. However, he clarified that there was no evidence to support speculation that the snake had been shot. Investigations into the cause of death were ongoing to confirm the exact reason.
According to anecdotal reports from the area, there may be other giant anacondas measuring over 7.5 meters long and weighing around 500 kilograms, highlighting the importance of these creatures to local biodiversity. Professor Vonk urged caution when handling such dangerous animals and emphasized their crucial role in maintaining ecological balance.