Fury as world’s largest snake ‘Ana Julia’ that was 26ft long & as heavy as a sumo wrestler is SHOT DEAD by cruel hunters
THE world's largest snake that was 26ft long and as heavy as a sumo wrestler has been shot dead by cruel hunters.
The 440lb northern green anaconda, named "Ana Julia", was only discovered by scientists in the Amazon rainforest five weeks before her death.
Located in remote Brazil, she was as thick as a car tyre and had a head the size of a human’s.
And at the time of her discovery in February, she was believed to be the world's biggest serpent and became adored by scientists.
But she has now been found dead floating in a river, sparking outrage amongst experts.
Her lifeless body was located in the Formoso River in the rural area of Bonito, in southern Brazil's Mato Grosso do Sul State, on Sunday (Mar 24).
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TV wildlife presenter and Dutch biologist Professor Freek Vonk, 40, who was filmed swimming next to the enormous anaconda following her discovery, said he was “sad and angry” after hearing the news.
According to wildlife filmmaker Cristian Dimitris, the dead snake is the same one filmed swimming with Vonk.
He said: “I compared the markings on her face, which are like fingerprints.
“It must be the most famous anaconda in the world, totally emblematic of the region.
“Images of the snake have already travelled the world.”
This was also confirmed by an anaconda specialist and researcher at the University of São Paulo, Juliana Terra, who called Ana Julia a “symbol for the Bonito region”.
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“This finding humbles the mind regarding the true diversity of South America.”
An investigation into Ana Julia’s death is being carried out by the Environmental Military Police.
Northern green anaconda
THE northern green anaconda is a recently discovered species of snake believed to be the largest in the world.
A close relative to the green anaconda, the two species look so similar that even experts can't tell them apart.
But tests show that genetically, there is a five-and-a-half percent difference between the pair.
Their remarkable discovery was made by scientists in the Ecuadorian Amazon in February, during filming for an upcoming National Geographic series.
Scientists documented several anacondas belonging to the new species “lurking in the shallows, lying in wait for prey” as they paddled canoes down the Amazonian river system.
It's believed the snakes occupy northern South America and the Caribbean island of Trinidad.
With confirmed specimens measuring up to 26 ft long, they are capable of killing and eating humans.
Found in the rivers and wetlands of South America, anaconda's are well known for their lightning speed and ability to squeeze the life out of prey by coiling around, asphyxiating them, and swallowing them whole.
But as a member of the Boa family, it is a non-venomous constrictor.
Nonetheless, they can still take down and feed on animals such as deer, capybara, caimans and large birds.