Scientists “Delighted” To Discover That A Bizarre 200-Million-Year-Old Species Isn’t Extinct

15 hours ago 12
Article created by: Donata Leskauskaite

Amidst the challenges and uncertainties of science and nature, news of hope has recently emerged.

For the first time, researchers have captured footage of an ancient egg-laying mammal named after Sir David Attenborough, dispelling fears of its extinction.

A species named after Sir David Attenborough and that was believed to be extinct has been rediscovered as it was caught on camera for the first time

Nocturnal camera trap image of a bizarre 200-million-year-old species discovered by scientists in a dense forest habitat.

Image credits: Expedition Cyclops

Up until now, the sole proof of the existence of the Zaglossus attenboroughi species was a preserved specimen of a deceased animal in a museum, dating back several decades.

But now, a couple of Oxford University researchers captured during an expedition to Indonesia four brief three-second clips featuring Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna, a spiky and furry creature with a distinctive beak.

Nocturnal animal captured on trail camera, revealing a bizarre 200-million-year-old species thought to be extinct.

Image credits: Expedition Cyclops

Often referred to as “living fossils,” echidnas are believed to have originated around 200 million years ago, coexisting with dinosaurs on Earth.

Dr. James Kempton, a biologist from Oxford University, told BBC News: “I was euphoric, the whole team was euphoric.

“I’m not joking when I say it came down to the very last SD card that we looked at, from the very last camera that we collected, on the very last day of our expedition.”

You can watch the echidna being capture on film below:

Echidna walking on dry leaves, representing the bizarre 200-million-year-old species scientists discovered is not extinct.

Image credits: Gunjan Pandey

James revealed he had engaged in written correspondence with Sir David regarding the rediscovery, and that he was “absolutely delighted” at the news.

The biologist directed a month-long expedition through previously uncharted regions of the Cyclops Mountains, a rugged rainforest habitat situated at an elevation of 2,000 meters (6,561 feet) above sea level.

A bizarre 200-million-year-old species discovered alive, resembling a spiny anteater in green foliage.

Image credits: Jaganath

Apart from locating Attenborough’s “lost echidna,” the expedition unveiled new species of insects and frogs while documenting thriving populations of tree kangaroos and birds of paradise.

The echidna, second only to the duck-billed platypus as the sole mammal capable of egg-laying, consists of four species, with three featuring long beaks.

Among these, the Attenborough echidna and the western echidna are classified as critically endangered.

Earlier expeditions to the Cyclops Mountains indicated the potential presence of the Attenborough echidna through signs like “nose pokes” in the ground, but inaccessible remote areas prevented definitive proof of their existence.

Sir David was said to be “absolutely delighted” at the news

Elderly man in a suit and patterned tie, representing scientists delighted by discovery of bizarre 200-million-year-old species.

Image credits: John Cairns

Consequently, for the past 62 years, the sole evidence of the Attenborough echidna’s existence has been a specimen securely housed in the Treasure Room of Naturalis, the natural history museum of the Netherlands.

Pepijn Kamminga, the collection manager at Naturalis, told the British broadcaster: “When that was discovered, people thought, well, maybe it’s extinct already because it’s the only one.

“So this [the rediscovery] is incredible news.”

Elderly man in a dark coat standing indoors, reflecting the discovery of a bizarre 200-million-year-old species not extinct.

Prior to Kempton’s team discovering the long-lost species of the hedgehog-like mammal in the remote Indonesian mountains, the researchers persevered through an earthquake, malaria, and even a leech affixing to a member’s eyeball during their expedition.

Collaborating with the local village Yongsu Sapari, the scientists navigated and explored the remote terrain of northeastern Papua.

The echidna holds significance in local culture, with elders from Yongsu Sapari noting a tradition where conflicts are resolved by sending one party into the forest to search for the mammal and another to the ocean to find a marlin.

Both creatures, perceived as elusive, often taking decades or a generation to locate, symbolize the resolution of conflict and a return to harmonious relationships once found.

People were delighted at the news

Facebook comment praising the news about the discovery of a bizarre 200-million-year-old species not extinct.

Comment by Cheryl Lynn Scholz expressing surprise about animals once thought extinct still existing in remote places.

Comment by Leanne Stevens saying Wonderful, now leave it a mystery, expressing delight about a bizarre 200-million-year-old species discovery.

Image credits: www.facebook.com

Comment by Richard Noble expressing excitement about a remarkable discovery related to a bizarre ancient species.

Image credits: www.facebook.com

Screenshot of a social media comment by Diane Perry saying Keep them safe with a kissing face emoji.

Comment by Okafor Peter Anthony discussing the survival of echidnas and their ability to evade danger.

Facebook comment by Phillip Hannam discussing resemblance to an echidna and mentioning Australia in informal style.

Comment by Je Suis Sam stating humans know little about nature and live with 50% confidence level in assumptions.

Comment by Caroline Gorka about seeing echidnas regularly in Tasmania, relating to scientists discovering a bizarre 200-million-year-old species.

Comment by Gary Brook in a social media post discussing a missed opportunity to name a bizarre 200-million-year-old species knuckles.

Comment by Andrey Nemirovsky about dreaming of a nearly extinct long-beaked echidna linked to bizarre 200-million-year-old species discovery.

Comment on social media post mentioning someone having fun with a time machine, referencing scientists delighted to discover a bizarre 200-million-year-old species isn’t extinct.

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