World’s Largest Anaconda Dies from Gunshot Wound
In the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, a colossal anaconda met a tragic demise, likely due to a gunshot wound, only weeks after its initial discovery.
Unveiled by an international team of 15 biologists in February, the serpent, christened Ana Julia, stunned researchers with its massive proportions – weighing approximately 440 pounds and stretching over 26 feet in length.
Bryan Fry, overseeing the scientific endeavor, disclosed that Ana Julia wasn’t a newfound species, but rather a southern green anaconda (Eunectes murinus).
This revelation came amidst his team’s earlier success in identifying a new species of green anaconda with the help of the Indigenous Huaorani people, a feat achieved during the filming of “Pole to Pole” alongside actor Will Smith.
Tribute to Anaconda (Ana Julia) from Indigines
Expressing profound sorrow, Professor Freek Vonk, a member of the discovery team, conveyed the distressing news via Instagram, mourning the loss of the majestic creature he once swam alongside.
Vonk condemned the unknown assailants responsible for Ana Julia’s demise, branding them as “sick.”
Despite initial speculation surrounding the cause of death, an update provided by Vonk on Instagram clarified that there was no conclusive evidence indicating gunshot wounds as the cause.
Discovered in the Formoso River within the remote Bonito district of southern Brazil, the snake’s untimely demise sent shockwaves through the scientific community.
Fry likened the senseless killing of Ana Julia to the shooting of a panda, emphasizing the gravity of the loss, regardless of its taxonomic status.
Wildlife videographer Cristian Dimitris, who had captured footage of the serpent swimming alongside Vonk, confirmed the snake’s identity through distinct facial markings, branding it as one of the most recognizable anacondas globally, emblematic of its natural habitat.
Juliana Terra, an anaconda expert from the University of São Paulo, echoed this sentiment, hailing Ana Julia as a symbol of the Bonito region, further emphasizing the profound impact of her tragic demise on both scientific and local communities alike.
