Was it killed?

Weighing 200 kg: the world’s largest snake is dead

The gigantic size of the "Northern Green Anaconda" surprised even researchers.

(Bild: Screenshot kameraOne)

It was only in February of this year that a video of it became a hit on the internet, but now what is probably the world's largest snake has been found dead in Brazil - its demise apparently had no natural cause. 

"We were filming this huge green anaconda sunbathing on the riverbank when it suddenly, but gently, decided to slide into the water," said Dutch biologist Freek Vonk, describing his encounter with the almost eight-metre-long reptile - the video of which has been clicked on millions of times worldwide.

"I had my mask and a small oxygen cylinder with me, so I immediately decided to follow it. What happened next was almost unbelievable. I was able to get so close to her that all I had to do was stretch out my arm and I could have touched her head."

The "Northern Green Anaconda" was even classified as a separate species after its discovery - it exceeded the size of all previously known animals of this species.

(Bild: Screenshot kameraOne)

Snake didn't feel disturbed at all, humans probably did
"It was four times my size and its head was as big as mine. It must have weighed more than 200 kilograms, maybe even much more," says the researcher, visibly impressed.

As he goes on to explain, the snake is said not to have been bothered by his presence at all - it was in no way disturbed by the people next to it. However, another human being may have felt threatened by the animal.

"Found dead in the river"
As Vonk now announced on his Instagram page, the snake is no longer alive. "With immense pain in my heart, I want to let you know that the mighty big green anaconda I swam with was found dead in the river this weekend," Vonk wrote alongside two photos of the dead animal.

The female, named "Ana Julia", was found in the Bonito region of Brazil, according to his information. "The investigation into the cause of death is still ongoing and all possibilities are being considered," Vonk said, however, harboring a tragic suspicion.

Anacondas are often killed
Documentary filmmaker Cristian Dimitrius also commented on the death of the snake, which he recognized from the pattern, via Instagram. He had been following it with his camera for more than ten years. It had even been measured once and, with a length of 6.45 meters, was the largest anaconda ever measured in the world. He wished that the animal had died a natural death, but pointed out that anacondas are regularly killed.

Both of them suspect that the animal may have been shot. An investigation is now to clarify the cause of death of "Ana Julia".