Species Thought Extinct Confirmed Alive in Indonesian Papua
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A species previously thought to be extinct, the ring-tailed glider, has been confirmed to survive on a remote peninsula in Indonesian Papua. The discovery was verified through conversations with Tambrauw elders and the use of earlier photographs. This follows other recent confirmations of species persistence in the region, including the long-fingered possum and Attenborough’s echidna.
Facts First
- The ring-tailed glider has been confirmed to survive in Indonesian Papua after being thought extinct.
- Verification relied on conversations with Tambrauw elders and the use of earlier photographs.
- The species holds cultural significance for the Tambrauw people, including a role in hunting, stories, custom, and initiation practices.
- Other species once listed as extinct have also been confirmed in Papua, including the long-fingered possum and Attenborough’s echidna.
- A global study has utilized Indigenous and local memory to reconstruct changes in bird communities over decades.
What Happened
A species previously thought to be extinct, the ring-tailed glider, has been confirmed to survive on a remote peninsula in Indonesian Papua. The verification was achieved through conversations with Tambrauw elders and the use of earlier photographs. This discovery follows other recent fieldwork in Papua that confirmed the persistence of the long-fingered possum and Attenborough’s echidna, both of which were also once listed as extinct.
Why this Matters to You
This discovery highlights the critical role of Indigenous knowledge in modern science and conservation. It suggests that local and Indigenous communities may hold vital information about species and ecosystems that formal scientific surveys have missed. This approach could lead to more accurate global biodiversity assessments and more effective conservation strategies that respect and incorporate traditional knowledge.
What's Next
The successful use of Indigenous memory in this and a related global study on bird communities indicates this methodology may be applied more widely. Further fieldwork and collaboration with local communities could lead to more rediscoveries of species thought lost, potentially reshaping conservation priorities and biological records.