The largest snake in the world Ana Julia is dead - unknown gunmen suspected

Sunday in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil brought sad news that shocked the international scientific community.

Ana Julia, considered the largest snake in the world, was shot by poachers. The photos were published in the media.

Ana Julia was a northern green anaconda, discovered just in February by a team of 15 international biologists. Scientists have determined that it is a new species, differing from other anacondas by 5.5% DNA. Biologist, Freek Vonk, had a special share in the discovery of the snake, sharing a video in the media in which he swam in a river with a colossal snake.

"The fact that I was able to spend over an hour with her at the bottom of the river remains one of my most breathtaking experiences in nature - I will never forget it! I love you, Ana Julia. I will miss you," he wrote on his profile on Instagram.

The dead eight-metre-long body of a snake was found in the Formoso River in the rural area of Bonito, in southern Brazil, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The cause of death is still under investigation, but she was most likely shot by poachers.

"How SICK do you have to be to do this to such a beautiful and unique animal!? It is so sad," comments Vonk.

Before the discovery of Ana Julia in the Amazon, only one species of green anaconda was recognised - also called the giant anaconda. Vonk called the discovery of the northern green anaconda, which was given the Latin name Eunectes akayima , the "highlight" of his scientific career.

The research team expressed concern about the threats this new species faces due to climate change and continued deforestation of the Amazon.

"More than a fifth of the Amazon has already disappeared, which is more than 30 times the area of the Netherlands," said Vonk, emphasising that the survival of these giant snakes is inextricably linked to the protection of their natural habitat.

The cause of death is still under investigation, but she was most likely shot by poachers.