More than sixty years after its last recorded sighting, the iconic Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna has been rediscovered in the remote Cyclops Mountains of Indonesia’s Papua Province. This egg-laying mammal, named after Sir David Attenborough, was captured on camera during an expedition led by the University of Oxford in collaboration with Indonesian partners.
The discovery was made possible through a partnership involving the University of Oxford, Indonesian NGO Yayasan Pelayanan Papua Nenda (YAPPENDA), Cenderawasih University (UNCEN), Papua BBKSDA, and the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Re:Wild. The challenging expedition, set against extremely inhospitable terrain, included venomous animals, blood-sucking leeches, malaria, earthquakes, and exhausting heat.
Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna, a monotreme and one of only five remaining species of monotremes, had been recorded by science only once in 1961. This egg-laying mammal is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The rediscovery was captured through the deployment of over 80 trail cameras, multiple ascents of the mountains, and climbing more than 11,000 meters, equivalent to the height of Everest.
Dr. James Kempton, the biologist from the University of Oxford who led the expedition, expressed, “Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna has the spines of a hedgehog, the snout of an anteater, and the feet of a mole.” The unique appearance of this species is due to its belonging to the monotremes, an egg-laying group that diverged from the rest of the mammal tree-of-life about 200 million years ago.
The expedition team, faced with numerous challenges, not only rediscovered the echidna but also made several other remarkable finds. These included Mayr’s honeyeater, a bird lost to science since 2008; an entirely new genus of tree-dwelling shrimp; countless new species of insects; and a previously unknown cave system. The discoveries underscore the extraordinary biodiversity of the Cyclops Mountains.
The expedition carried out the first comprehensive assessment of invertebrate, reptile, amphibian, and mammal life in the Cyclops Mountains. The scientists, supported by local guides, created makeshift labs in the jungle, leading to the discovery of dozens of new insect species and the rediscovery of Mayr’s honeyeater.
An unexpected finding was an entirely new genus of ground and tree-dwelling shrimp, challenging the typical seaside habitat of these creatures. Additionally, the team uncovered a treasure trove of underground species, including blind spiders, blind harvestman, and a whip scorpion, all new to science, in a previously unexplored cave system.
The expedition faced life-threatening conditions, including earthquakes, injuries, and encounters with venomous snakes and spiders. Dr. Kempton described the Cyclops as a “magical” yet dangerous land. The camaraderie among expedition members helped overcome challenges, and the trust built with the local community played a crucial role in the expedition’s success.
Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna, being the flagship animal of the Cyclops Mountains, is now a symbol of the region’s extraordinary biodiversity. The team hopes that its rediscovery will draw attention to the conservation needs of the Cyclops and Indonesian New Guinea, emphasizing the importance of supporting long-term monitoring efforts. The expedition’s enduring legacy includes training local students in biodiversity surveys and camera trapping, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The rediscovery of Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna marks just the beginning of the expedition’s mission, with ongoing efforts focused on conservation, further species identification, and geological analysis. The geological work aims to answer questions about the formation of the Cyclops Mountains, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the region’s biodiversity and geological history.
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Information provided by the University of Oxford. Please note that the content may be subject to editing for style and length.