Species thought extinct for thousands of years ‘rediscovered’ thanks to Indigenous knowledge
A species believed extinct for thousands of years, the ring-tailed glider, has been rediscovered in Indonesian Papua through collaboration with Indigenous Tambrauw elders, whose traditional knowledge confirmed its continued existence. Scientific verification followed local accounts and photographs, highlighting the limitations of formal surveys alone. The finding underscores the value of integrating Indigenous knowledge with scientific research, especially in poorly documented ecosystems. Similar rediscoveries in the region suggest that species absence in scientific records often reflects gaps in access or trust, not actual extinction.
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