Overview
- Photographs by Aaron Chown of PA show Sophie inspecting the world's largest tarantula on a leaf and then holding the leaf herself during a trek in the Peruvian Amazon.
- Guides Rey Mozombite and Daniel Macedo led the walk, during which she also handled a green anaconda and observed a sloth, with one report noting she cradled a tiny turtle before releasing it.
- The Goliath birdeater is identified as the largest tarantula, with sources citing National Geographic and the Smithsonian for size details and noting its venom is not dangerous to humans.
- Earlier Peru stops included a visit to Iquitos Naval Base to see the historic river gunboat BAP America and meetings with indigenous women leaders.
- The tour was requested by the UK Foreign Office and continues through Nov. 19 with scheduled engagements in Panama, Guatemala and Belize focused on conservation and community leadership.