Rare Echidna Rediscovered: A Long-Lost Species Resurfaces

Researchers on an expedition in Papua New Guinea's Cyclops Mountains rediscovered Attenborough's long-beaked echidna, a species thought to be extinct. The echidna, named after David Attenborough, was captured on camera for the first time in over 60 years. This discovery is crucial for preserving the unique evolutionary history of monotremes, a group of egg-laying mammals. The echidna is classified as critically endangered, highlighting the need for conservation efforts in its Indonesian habitat. The expedition also uncovered new insect species, frog species, and a land-dwelling shrimp, emphasizing the region's biodiversity. The echidna has become a symbol for conservation in the Cyclops Mountains, and its rediscovery brings hope for protecting the area from deforestation.