In an unprecedented scientific endeavor, a team from The University of Queensland ventured into the heart of Ecuador’s Amazon, unveiling a groundbreaking discovery: a new anaconda species, that might set records for its size. This revelation came to light during an expedition associated with the filming of “Pole to Pole with Will Smith,” a captivating National Geographic series that enjoys viewership on Disney+, featuring the acclaimed Oscar-winning actor.
The expedition, spearheaded by the esteemed Professor Bryan Fry, was not just a routine field trip but an extraordinary journey into the Baihuaeri Huaorani Territory. This area, shielded from extensive external contact since the Huaorani’s first encounter with the outside world in 1958, opened its secrets to the scientists following an invitation from Huaorani Chief Penti Baihua. This rare opportunity allowed the researchers to delve into a region rich in biodiversity and teeming with enigmatic wildlife.
Navigating the serpentine waterways of the Bameno region, Professor Fry and his team encountered a series of anacondas exhibiting remarkable size. Among them, a female anaconda stretched to a staggering 6.3 meters (20.8 feet), presenting a spectacle of nature’s grandeur. The encounter not only underscored the anacondas’ imposing presence but also hinted at the existence of even larger specimens within the depths of the Amazon.
The culmination of these encounters was the identification of the northern green anaconda (Eunectes akayima), a species distinct from its known counterparts in the southern Amazon basin. This new species, characterized by a 5.5% genetic divergence from the green anaconda, signifies a profound branching in the anaconda’s evolutionary tree, an insight that adds depth to our understanding of these creatures and their ecological niches.
The genetic disparity between the northern and southern anaconda species is noteworthy, offering a stark comparison to the 2% genetic difference between humans and chimpanzees, and underscoring the significance of this discovery in the field of herpetology.
Further enriching this narrative are the tales from the Huaorani people, who speak of even larger anacondas, with lengths surpassing 7.5 meters (24.6 feet) and weights around 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds). These accounts are not mere folklore but are supported by tangible evidence, such as the scars borne by Marcelo Tepeña Baihua, the chief’s son, who survived an encounter with one of these colossal snakes.
These testimonies, coupled with the scientific team’s observations, paint a vivid picture of the Amazon’s hidden giants, positioning the Huaorani lands as a bastion for some of the largest anacondas ever recorded. This discovery not only enhances our understanding of the Amazon’s biodiversity but also highlights the critical role of indigenous knowledge in guiding scientific exploration and uncovering the mysteries of the natural world.
