Recently in the Formoso River in southern Brazil’s Mato Grosso do Sul State, a massive anaconda was discovered. Ana Julia, as she was named, measured 26 feet in length and weighed approximately 440 pounds. This colossal reptile was found during filming for the National Geographics Disney+ series ‘Pole to Pole’ with Will Smith.
Despite initial speculation that the snake had been shot, a snake researcher who assisted in the discovery believes that Ana Julia may have suffered a gunshot wound. Professor Freek Vonk shared this sad news on Instagram, describing the snake as a strong and healthy animal that had been swimming around Bonito for decades.
However, investigations into the cause of death are still ongoing, and authorities have not yet found any evidence to support the claim that the anaconda was shot. Professor Vonk mentioned that it is possible that Ana Julia died a natural death. The loss of such a magnificent creature has significant implications for biodiversity, particularly for this particular species of colossal giant snakes.
When the snake was discovered, Professor Bryan Fry from The University of Queensland noted the incredible size of these creatures. He mentioned anecdotal reports from the Waorani people of other anacondas in the area that measured over 7.5 meters in length and weighed around 500 kilograms. The death of Ana Julia is a significant loss, both in terms of her individual presence and for the conservation of these majestic creatures.
