They are among us: issues and perspectives on urban anacondas (Boidae: Eunectes)

Urban growth is a megatrend, compelling wildlife to coexist with humans. Anacondas (Boidae: Eunectes) are frequently found within Brazilian cities. Here, we documented the occurrence of anacondas in Brazilian cities using online news as the information source, providing insights into their spatial distribution, body size, and ecological roles in urban environments. We also examined rescue procedures and proposed measures for improving urban fauna management and conservation. We found 189 records published between 2008 and 2022, with an exponential increase in recent years and with no seasonal pattern. Records originated from 84 cities in 18 Brazilian states, mostly from the North region. Government bureaus are the main actors in anaconda rescues, typically returning individuals to natural habitats. Most rescued anacondas are adults. We provide information on wildlife rescue operations in Brazil. We also highlight the adaptability of anacondas to human-altered landscapes, the increasing media attention given to human–anaconda interactions, and the lack of information on the homing and survival of rescued and translocated individuals. Our findings suggest that environmental connectivity allows top predators to maintain functional populations within large Brazilian cities and emphasize the necessity for a paradigm shift from reactive rescues to proactive long-term solutions.