After 60 years of disappearance, the lost “cousin” of the platypus has been found

He didn’t die, he was at a party. It’s always nice to report news like this about species that are thought to be extinct. Animals that had not been seen for decades and were therefore about to descend to the bottom step International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. From critically endangered disappeared. This is the case Attenborough the Echidnaan egg-laying mammal that was recorded in the Cyclops Mountains of Indonesia after 60 years without any reports.

Those responsible for this discovery went through an odyssey. The team had to survive an earthquake, some contracted malaria, and there was even a scientist who had to deal with a leech in his eye. But for them everything it was worth itbecause they were able to demonstrate that the platypus is not as alone in the world as we thought.

And Attenborough the echidna belongs to the order monotreme, which classifies the most primitive mammals currently existing on Earth. These animals retain some reptilian characteristics, such as having a cloaca and reproducing by eggs. But they also breastfeed their young.

There are two types of single pass: platypuses and echidnas. There used to be many species, but little by little they are becoming extinct. Today, it was believed that only one species of platypus and three species of echidna remained. But now we know that there are four of them. There is no word on how many satellites the specimen recorded in the mountains of Indonesia will have, but its discoverers hope there will be enough to save it, at least temporarily, from its race to extinction.

The echidna that escaped extinction

It’s been 60 years since Attenborough the Echidna was last seen (Zaglossus attenborogi), baptized with this name in honor of the TV presenter and biologist David Attenborough: Englishman Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente.

Also known as Sir David’s zagloss or long-beaked echidna, was first described in 1961 from a very damaged specimen found in the Cyclops Mountains. This was the last time he was seen.

However, in 2007, a group of scientists discovered tracks and holes it seemed to fit this animal. It is logical that from the hole it is impossible to know exactly what species of echidna it is. However, this was the only species seen in these mountains in the last century.

Given this hope, the doctor James Kemptonfrom Oxford University organized an expedition heading to Cyclops Mountains. It involved an international team of scientists hoping to better understand the fauna of this area of ​​Indonesia. But also with the desire to find this elusive echidna.

After three years of planning they placed more than 80 cameras, in one of which they finally found what they wanted. Attenborough’s echidna escaped extinction.

Will there be more copies?

In the video of these scientists, only one echidna is visible. However, this is not unusual, since these mammals usually They live alone almost all year round.. They seek company only in the summer, during the mating season, and then return to solitary life.

Other echidnas are known to have a lifespan of 60 years. If this is also your case, it may have been decades since your species bred in the Cyclops Mountains. But there may be other instances. It is a very green area where it is difficult to find such small and elusive animals like this.

So Kempton’s team is hoping to find someone else. Let’s hope there will be enough to help them move a few steps away from their race leading to extinction.