Will Smith Aids in Discovering New Anaconda Species in Amazon

In 2024, scientists announced a significant breakthrough in herpetology with the discovery of a new species of giant anaconda in the Amazon Rainforest. This revelation was documented during a 2022 expedition that included actor Will Smith, who was filming for National Geographic’s upcoming documentary series, *Pole to Pole with Will Smith*. The show highlights Smith’s adventures across diverse ecosystems, where he engages with various wildlife and cultures.

During the expedition, a team of indigenous Waorani guides assisted Smith and venom expert Bryan Fry in their search along the riverbanks for anacondas. Their efforts paid off when they encountered a female green anaconda measuring approximately 16 to 17 feet long, described by Fry as “pure muscle.” Although anacondas are non-venomous, they can bite, leading the Waorani to carefully secure the giant snake to allow Fry, with Smith’s cautious help, to collect a scale sample for analysis.

The collected samples proved crucial for further studies, enabling scientists to assess the accumulation of pollutants in the water. Additionally, they facilitated genetic analysis that ultimately led to the identification of the new species, named the northern green anaconda, or Eunectes akayama, which translates to “the great snake.” This species is genetically distinct from the southern green anaconda, Eunectes murinus, with researchers estimating that the two diverged around 10 million years ago. The northern green anaconda inhabits regions across Venezuela, Colombia, Suriname, French Guiana, and northern parts of Brazil.

Smith’s time in the Amazon was not without its thrills. During the expedition, he confronted his fear of arachnids when he came face to face with a giant tarantula while scientists extracted its venom. His journey did not stop in the Amazon; it also took him to the South Pole, where he navigated icy terrains, and to the Himalayas, where he trekked to a small village in Bhutan. In the Pacific Islands, Smith recorded a nearly lost native language and joined the San people in the Kalahari Desert for a traditional hunt. His adventures culminated in an expedition to the North Pole, where he participated in diving under the ice to gather scientific samples.

The series *Pole to Pole with Will Smith* is set to premiere on January 13, 2026, with streaming available on Disney+ the following day. Through this documentary, viewers will have the opportunity to experience Smith’s unique journey and the scientific discoveries that emerged from these remarkable expeditions, showcasing the intersection of entertainment and environmental science.