A type of Long-beaked echidna, a creatured which was believed to have been extinct for the past 60 years, has been rediscovered in Indonesia’s Cyclops Mountains. It is described as having “the spines of a hedgehog, the snout of an anteater and the feet of a mole.”

Named the Attenborugh’s long beaked echidna, after David Attenborough, has been photograaphed and sighted for the first time since 1961 during an four week expedition by Oxford University earlier this year. The photo was taken on the last day of the expedition, via one of the 80 trail cameras set up by the students.

“There was a great sense of euphoria, and also relief having spent so long in the field with no reward until the very final day,” he said, describing the moment he first saw the footage with collaborators from Indonesian conservation group Yappenda.

“I shouted out to my colleagues that were still remaining … and said ‘we found it, we found it’ – I ran in from my desk to the living room and hugged the guys.”

 

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