Two species thought extinct for 6,000 years turn up alive in West Papua
Tiny possum and glider thought extinct for 6000 years found in remote West Papua
A pygmy long-fingered possum and a ring-tailed glider, both believed to have vanished 6,000 years ago, have been found living in remote West Papuan rainforests. Scientists pieced the discovery together from decades-old fossils, rare photos and museum specimens, then confirmed it with local elders from the Tambrauw and Maybrat clans. The findings are published in the Records of the Australian Museum.
The discovery of one lazarus taxon... is an exceptional discovery. But the discovery of two species, thought to have been extinct for thousands of years, is remarkable.