Long-lost Attenborough's Echidna Rediscovered in Indonesia's Cyclops Mountains

University of Oxford expedition captures first-ever images of the elusive mammal, alongside other significant discoveries including a new genus of tree-dwelling shrimp.

Attenborough's long-beaked echidna, a mammal thought to be extinct, has been rediscovered in Indonesia's Cyclops Mountains by an expedition team from the University of Oxford. The echidna, named after Sir David Attenborough, was captured for the first time in photos and video footage using remote trail cameras.
The echidna is a monotreme, an evolutionarily distinct group of egg-laying mammals that includes the platypus. It is one of only five remaining species of monotremes and has never been recorded anywhere outside the Cyclops Mountains. It is currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The expedition team also made other significant discoveries, including 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. These discoveries were made despite the challenging terrain and conditions, including venomous animals, blood-sucking leeches, malaria, earthquakes, and exhausting heat.
The rediscovery of the echidna is seen as a symbol of the extraordinary biodiversity of the Cyclops Mountains. The team hopes that its rediscovery will help bring attention to the conservation needs of the Cyclops and Indonesian New Guinea more generally. They are committed to supporting long-term monitoring of the echidna.
The expedition also carried out the first comprehensive assessment of invertebrate, reptile, amphibian, and mammal life in the Cyclops Mountains. The team made a wealth of new discoveries, including several dozens of insect species completely new to science and the rediscovery of Mayr's honeyeater, a bird lost to science since 2008.