New Giant Anaconda Species Discovered in Amazon During Will Smith Series Filming

Scientists and indigenous Waorani people uncover potentially largest snake species, highlighting conservation needs.

A new species of giant anaconda, named the northern green anaconda (Eunectes akayima), has been discovered in the Ecuadorian Amazon during the filming of Will Smith's National Geographic series Pole to Pole.
The discovery was made by a team from the University of Queensland, in collaboration with the indigenous Waorani people, during a 10-day expedition in the Bameno region of Baihuaeri Waorani Territory.
The northern green anaconda is genetically distinct from the southern green anaconda, diverging nearly 10 million years ago, and is considered to potentially be the largest snake species in existence.
One of the encountered female anacondas measured an astounding 20.6 feet long, with reports of even larger specimens in the area.
The discovery highlights the urgent need for further research and conservation efforts in the Amazon, amid threats from deforestation, climate change, and other environmental pressures.