A Team of Scientists Discover Nearly 10-Million-Year-Old Giant Anaconda in the Amazon
A team of scientists from The University of Queensland, led by professor Bryan Fry, recently made a groundbreaking discovery in the Amazon of Ecuador – a nearly 10-million-year-old species of giant anaconda. The discovery was made with the help of the Indigenous Huaorani people during the filming of a National Geographic series.
The team captured images showcasing the massive size of the northern green anaconda found in the Orinoco Basin of the Amazon. One female anaconda measured an impressive 6.3 meters (20.8 feet) long. Several anacondas were found lurking in the shallows in the Bameno region.
This newly discovered species has been named the northern green anaconda (Eunectes akayima) and is genetically different from the green anaconda found in the larger basin in the south of the Amazon. The discovery has important implications for understanding the ecosystem of the Amazon.
Details of the discovery have been published in the journal MDPI Diversity, shedding light on this fascinating ancient species. The team’s collaboration with the Indigenous Huaorani people highlights the importance of working together to uncover the secrets of the natural world.
The remarkable find has generated excitement within the scientific community and among nature enthusiasts worldwide. The discovery of this ancient giant anaconda offers a glimpse into the rich biodiversity of the Amazon and underscores the importance of conservation efforts in protecting these unique and valuable species.
