Biologist Freek Vonk discovered a new species of giant snake, named the Northern Green Anaconda or Eunectes akayima, in the Amazon.

The research, which focused on the impact of oil drilling, also led to the reclassification of the existing green anaconda species as the southern green anaconda.

Professor Bryan Fry, the study's lead author, highlighted the vulnerability of the Northern Green Anaconda due to its smaller habitat range and threats like oil drilling, logging, and drought.

The findings are crucial for conservation efforts and demonstrate the need for genetic taxonomy in conservation planning.

The study is published open access in the MDPI Diversity journal, marking an important milestone in Professor Fry's academic work.