Attenborough’s echidna rediscovered by combining Indigenous knowledge with camera-trapping
Abstract We confirm the ‘rediscovery’ of Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus attenboroughi), one of only five modern egg-laying mammals and, until now, one of the planet’s most enigmatic ‘lost species’. Unrecorded for 62 years, we present the first scientific evidence of its survival to th...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-05-01
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| Series: | npj Biodiversity |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44185-025-00086-6 |
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| author | G. Morib A. Tilker L.-R Davranoglou S. D. Anasari A. Balázs P. A. Barnes M. J. Foote A. Hamidy C. D. Heatubun K. M. Helgen N. Inayah M. K. Ikhwan H. Jayanto H. J. Keiluhu I. Kobak M. Kobak L. Koungoulos P. Norotouw S. O’Connor S. B. Subakti Taufiq P. J. de Vries M. Webb S. Wiantoro H. Yando A. M. Yohanita J. A. Kempton |
| author_facet | G. Morib A. Tilker L.-R Davranoglou S. D. Anasari A. Balázs P. A. Barnes M. J. Foote A. Hamidy C. D. Heatubun K. M. Helgen N. Inayah M. K. Ikhwan H. Jayanto H. J. Keiluhu I. Kobak M. Kobak L. Koungoulos P. Norotouw S. O’Connor S. B. Subakti Taufiq P. J. de Vries M. Webb S. Wiantoro H. Yando A. M. Yohanita J. A. Kempton |
| author_sort | G. Morib |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract We confirm the ‘rediscovery’ of Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus attenboroughi), one of only five modern egg-laying mammals and, until now, one of the planet’s most enigmatic ‘lost species’. Unrecorded for 62 years, we present the first scientific evidence of its survival to the present day. We highlight the importance of combining local Indigenous knowledge with camera-trapping to making the rediscovery, and we also discuss follow-up conservation actions to safeguard this Critically Endangered species. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-39bdcafb7a5f4c20a9273e73fa6e6852 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2731-4243 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Biodiversity |
| spelling | doaj-art-39bdcafb7a5f4c20a9273e73fa6e68522025-08-20T03:22:07ZengNature Portfolionpj Biodiversity2731-42432025-05-01411510.1038/s44185-025-00086-6Attenborough’s echidna rediscovered by combining Indigenous knowledge with camera-trappingG. Morib0A. Tilker1L.-R Davranoglou2S. D. Anasari3A. Balázs4P. A. Barnes5M. J. Foote6A. Hamidy7C. D. Heatubun8K. M. Helgen9N. Inayah10M. K. Ikhwan11H. Jayanto12H. J. Keiluhu13I. Kobak14M. Kobak15L. Koungoulos16P. Norotouw17S. O’Connor18S. B. Subakti19Taufiq20P. J. de Vries21M. Webb22S. Wiantoro23H. Yando24A. M. Yohanita25J. A. Kempton26Department of Biology, Universitas CenderawasihRe:wild, PO Box 129Oxford University Museum of Natural History, University of OxfordKolaborasi Inklusi KonservasiDepartment of Zoology, Fisheries, Hydrobiology and Apiculture, Mendel University in BrnoEDGE of Existence Programme, Zoological Society LondonDepartment of History, University of OxfordMuseum Zoologicum Bogoriense, Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Gd. Widyasatwaloka, KST Soekarno CibinongRegional Research and Innovation Agency (BRIDA), West Papua Province, ArfaiAustralian Museum, 1 William StMuseum Zoologicum Bogoriense, Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Gd. Widyasatwaloka, KST Soekarno CibinongKolaborasi Inklusi KonservasiKolaborasi Inklusi KonservasiDepartment of Biology, Universitas CenderawasihYappenda, Stakin Gedung GOR STT-GIDI Lantai 1, Kelurahan Hinekombe, SentaniYappenda, Stakin Gedung GOR STT-GIDI Lantai 1, Kelurahan Hinekombe, SentaniAustralian Museum, 1 William StNumbay Research Centre, Jalan Raya Waena Sentani No. 4School of Culture, History, and Language, Australian National UniversityDepartment of Biology, Universitas CenderawasihNature Conservation Agency of Papua (BBKSDA Papua), Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Kantor BBKSDA Papua, Jl. Raya Abepura, Kotaraja, Kec. AbepuraSIL International, 7500 W. Camp Wisdom RoadThe Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt UniversityMuseum Zoologicum Bogoriense, Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Gd. Widyasatwaloka, KST Soekarno CibinongDepartment of Biology, Universitas CenderawasihDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Papua, Jl. Gunung Salju, AmbanDepartment of Biology, University of OxfordAbstract We confirm the ‘rediscovery’ of Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus attenboroughi), one of only five modern egg-laying mammals and, until now, one of the planet’s most enigmatic ‘lost species’. Unrecorded for 62 years, we present the first scientific evidence of its survival to the present day. We highlight the importance of combining local Indigenous knowledge with camera-trapping to making the rediscovery, and we also discuss follow-up conservation actions to safeguard this Critically Endangered species.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44185-025-00086-6 |
| spellingShingle | G. Morib A. Tilker L.-R Davranoglou S. D. Anasari A. Balázs P. A. Barnes M. J. Foote A. Hamidy C. D. Heatubun K. M. Helgen N. Inayah M. K. Ikhwan H. Jayanto H. J. Keiluhu I. Kobak M. Kobak L. Koungoulos P. Norotouw S. O’Connor S. B. Subakti Taufiq P. J. de Vries M. Webb S. Wiantoro H. Yando A. M. Yohanita J. A. Kempton Attenborough’s echidna rediscovered by combining Indigenous knowledge with camera-trapping npj Biodiversity |
| title | Attenborough’s echidna rediscovered by combining Indigenous knowledge with camera-trapping |
| title_full | Attenborough’s echidna rediscovered by combining Indigenous knowledge with camera-trapping |
| title_fullStr | Attenborough’s echidna rediscovered by combining Indigenous knowledge with camera-trapping |
| title_full_unstemmed | Attenborough’s echidna rediscovered by combining Indigenous knowledge with camera-trapping |
| title_short | Attenborough’s echidna rediscovered by combining Indigenous knowledge with camera-trapping |
| title_sort | attenborough s echidna rediscovered by combining indigenous knowledge with camera trapping |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44185-025-00086-6 |
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