Mystery in the Amazon: A newly discovered giant snake is suddenly dead in the jungle

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The discovery was a sensation: naturalist Freek Vonk (41) tracked down a new species of giant snake in the Amazon region in February. The reptile nicknamed Ana Julia was seven meters long; he weighed about 200 kilograms. The Dutchman took spectacular photos. A video shows him swimming underwater with the female snake.

But now the giant snake has been found dead in the river, researcher Vonk confirms on his Instagram account: “What a sad and tragic loss. How sick do you have to be to do something like that to such a beautiful and unique animal?” According to his initial information, the reptile was probably shot by hunters. However, there is still no official confirmation of the cause of death. The investigation is ongoing. Because there are only a few of these ‘colossal’ giant snakes, the damage to biodiversity is enormous, Vonk complains.

The size of the snake was initially a shock

Anacondas are constrictors and spend most of their lives in water. Vonk and other researchers took DNA samples from the snake in February. The resulting research showed that despite similarities to other known anacondas such as the green anaconda, the newly discovered northern green anaconda is a separate species.

“Genetically they differ by 5.5 percent. To put that into context, we are about 2 percent different from chimpanzees,” Bryan Fry, renowned biologist at the University of Queensland in Australia and co-author of the study, told National Geographic.

Dutch researcher Vonk remembers the special encounter on Instagram: “I will never forget how special it was to spend time with her at the bottom of the river.” The sight of the giant snake initially shocked him. But his presence didn’t seem to bother the snake. He swam with her for more than an hour. “It remains one of my most breathtaking nature experiences.” (sam)

Source: Blick