Rare ‘Lazarus’ Animals Discovered Alive in New Guinea After 7,000 Years of Believed Extinction

Two remarkable species of marsupials, long considered extinct and previously known only from fossil records, have been rediscovered alive in New Guinea. This groundbreaking finding is the result of a collaborative effort involving scientists, indigenous communities, and citizen scientists.

The confirmation of the pygmy longfinger possum and the ring-tailed glider as living specimens marks a significant moment—it’s the first time these creatures have been seen in over 7,000 years. The announcement was made by Bishop Museum, based in Honolulu.

“As both a scientist and conservationist, it’s incredibly fulfilling to confirm their existence. This opens a new chapter in our journey to learn about and protect these fascinating animals,” stated Dr. Christopher Helgen from Bishop Museum.

For the past two years, Helgen and Dr. Tim Flannery of the Australian Museum have been dedicated to verifying the existence of these elusive mammals.

These two animals are categorized as “Lazarus species,” a term for species that re-emerge after being presumed extinct. “The discovery of two Lazarus species thought to be extinct for millennia is truly unprecedented,” Flannery noted in a press release.

Helgen believes this rediscovery underscores the idea that “extinction is avoidable.”

“This discovery offers a message of hope and a testament to second chances,” he added.

These species were initially discovered through fossils by Dr. Ken Aplin, who unearthed a critical tooth during an archaeological dig in western New Guinea in the 1990s.

Helgen’s observation of a photo featuring a gliding ring-tailed possum led to the identification of it as one of Aplin’s previously “extinct” species. Indigenous communities from West Papua’s Tambulo and Maybrat regions provided invaluable assistance by sharing their extensive knowledge about the marsupial’s unique lifestyle, according to a press release.

Recently, scientists confirmed the existence of the pygmy longfinger possum after discovering two preserved specimens at the University of Papua New Guinea.

The survival of the pygmy longfinger possum has been further validated by citizen scientists. Carlos Bokos, a citizen scientist and now co-author of the study, shared a photo of the species on iNaturalist, a global platform for documenting natural science discoveries.