Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Scientists have rediscovered a long-lost mammal species in the Cyclops Mountains, Sentani, Jayapura Regency. According to records, this species was seen more than 60 years ago.
The name of this species is the long-snouted echidna, which looks like a combination of a porcupine, anteater and a mole. Initially this species was thought to be extinct.
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However, a team of Oxford University scientists discovered it on the last day of a four-week expedition. He got his first photo with a trail camera.
While descending from the mountains at the end of the journey, biologist James Kempton discovered images of small creatures walking through the forest thicket on the last memory cards taken from more than 80 remote cameras.
“There was an extraordinary sense of euphoria, and also a sense of relief after being on the field for so long without any reward until the last day,” he said as quoted by CBC.
The first moment he saw the recording was with collaborators from the Indonesian conservation group YAPPENDA.
“I shouted to my remaining colleagues… and said ‘we found him, we found him’ – I ran from my desk into the living room and hugged them.”
Echidna has the same name as a Greek mythological creature, namely half woman and half snake. It is known as a shy creature, a nocturnal burrower so it is difficult to find.
“The reason why these mammals look different from other mammals is because they are members of monotremes – a group of egg-laying animals that separated from other mammals about 200 million years ago,” Kempton said.
This species has only been scientifically recorded once before by a Dutch botanist in 1961. Different species of echidna are found throughout Australia and the lowlands of New Guinea.
To find it was a long struggle, Kempton’s team survived earthquakes, malaria and even leeches stuck to their eyeballs during their journey. They worked together with local villagers Yongsu Sapari to navigate and explore remote areas in northeastern Papua.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
(fab/fab)
2023-11-12 08:15:00
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