An anaconda as long as a limousine, a giant catfish that eats monkeys, a blue fanged spider and poisoned dart frogs are among the 1,220 animals and plants to have been found from 1999 to 2009, according to the study.
“It serves as a reminder of how much we still have to learn about this unique region, and what we could lose if we don’t change the way we think about development,” Ruiz said.
One of the most amazing discoveries was a four-metre (13-foot) anaconda in the flood plains of Bolivia’s Pando province in 2002.
At least 500 spiders were also discovered, including one that was completely brown except for a pair of almost fluorescent blue fangs. Thirty-nine new mammals were also found, including a pink river dolphin, seven types of monkey and two porcupines.
Among the 637 new plant species discovered were sunflowers, ivy, lilies, a variety of pineapple and a custard apple. The Amazon is home to at least 40,000 plant species, and the WWF described the scale of diversity in some areas as “mind boggling”.
The WWF said the protection efforts, in which foreign governments and organisations provide some of the finance to help run the projects, should serve as a model for the world in how to save rainforests.
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