Lost and Found: Teh Rediscovery of the De Winton’s Golden Mole
for nearly a century,the De Winton’s golden mole,a creature of myth more than reality,remained unseen. Last officially sighted in 1936, this tiny, blind mammal was presumed extinct, a sad footnote in the annals of wildlife. But a recent breakthrough in South Africa has rewritten its story.
A dedicated team of conservationists and geneticists from the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and the University of Pretoria embarked on a two-year quest, employing cutting-edge technology and old-fashioned grit. Their strategy? A combination of environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling and the keen nose of a specially trained sniffer dog named Jessie.
The search focused on the northwestern sand dunes of South Africa,a region previously known to harbor this elusive creature,though its last confirmed sighting was near Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape. The team meticulously collected over 100 soil samples, covering up to 18 kilometers daily. The eDNA analysis, which detects traces of animal DNA left in the environment, proved crucial in pinpointing the mole’s location.
The De Winton’s golden mole, about the size of a hamster, is characterized by its shiny, sand-colored fur. These subterranean dwellers rarely venture from their intricate burrow systems,making them incredibly arduous to find. Their rediscovery is a testament to the perseverance and innovative techniques employed by the research team.
While this rediscovery offers a beacon of hope for conservation efforts, the future of the De Winton’s golden mole remains precarious. Its habitat faces meaningful threats from diamond mining, underscoring the urgent need for protective measures. The success of this project also highlights the growing importance of eDNA in the search for and protection of rare and endangered species, a technique with potential applications for similar conservation challenges worldwide.
Rediscovering a Lost Species: An Interview with Dr. Jane Doe
Sarah Jones: Welcome back to World Today News. I’m excited to be joined today by Dr. jane Doe, renowned conservation biologist and expert on African mammal species. Dr. Doe, thanks for being with us.
Dr. Jane Doe: It’s my pleasure, Sarah. Always happy to talk about these astounding creatures.
Sarah Jones: Let’s dive right in! Recently, the world was captivated by the story of the De Winton’s golden mole, a species presumed extinct and now rediscovered in South Africa. Can you tell our audience a little about this remarkable animal?
Dr. Jane Doe: [1] The De Winton’s golden mole is a tiny, blind mammal about the size of a hamster, characterized by its shiny, sand-colored fur. These fascinating creatures are surprisingly elusive,living almost entirely underground in intricate burrow systems. This makes them incredibly challenging to find, which is why it was thought to be extinct for so long.
Sarah Jones: What led to its previous presumed extinction?
Dr. Jane Doe: [1] While the De Winton’s golden mole hadn’t been officially sighted since 1936, its exact reasons for disappearing remain unclear. We do no that its habitat, the northwestern sand dunes of South Africa, faces important threats from diamond mining, which likely played a role in its disappearance.
Sarah Jones: That’s disheartening. How was this amazing creature rediscovered,and what does this mean for its future?
Dr. Jane Doe: [1] This discovery is a testament to the perseverance of a dedicated team from the Endangered Wildlife trust and the University of Pretoria. They employed a combination of cutting-edge environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis – which detects traces of animal DNA in the habitat – and a specially trained sniffer dog named Jessie. This innovative approach led them to the mole’s location after years of searching. The rediscovery offers a beacon of hope, but the future of the De Winton’s golden mole remains precarious. Continued conservation efforts, including habitat protection from diamond mining, are crucial to its long-term survival.
