Tiniest wallaby, Pinocchio frog discovered in Papua's Eden

[depakid]

Undisturbed Papuan rainforest ... the world's smallest wallaby.
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Those who have been there call it the closest thing on earth to the Garden of Eden. Undisturbed for thousands of years, the mist-shrouded Foja Mountains in the Indonesian province of Papua offer a vision of a planet without human interference.

Dripping with life, the pristine forested slopes harbour a bewitching display of spectacular species.

Now, conservationists offer the latest dispatch from this jungle paradise. An expedition to the remote mountains by experts from Conservation International and the National Geographic Society has revealed a stunning diversity of flora and fauna, including several new species.


The spike-nosed tree frog.
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The finds include a bizarre spike-nosed tree frog, a huge, tame, woolly rat, a yellow-eyed, gargoyle-like gecko and a tiny forest wallaby, the smallest documented member of the kangaroo family.

''While animals and plants are being wiped out across the globe at a pace never seen in millions of years, the discovery of these absolutely incredible forms of life is much-needed positive news,'' said Bruce Beehler, a senior research scientist with Conservation International.

''Places like these represent a healthy future for all of us and show that it is not too late to stop the current species extinction crisis.''

The Foja Mountains, near the north coast of Papua, cover an area of more than 300,000 square hectares of undisturbed rainforest. The region is recognised by scientists as a productive species generator because of its relative isolation, elevation and tropical environment.

The latest expedition, in November 2008, was the third of its kind since 2005. The conservationists say they are highlighting the discoveries to encourage the Indonesian government to bolster long-term protection of the Foja area, a national wildlife sanctuary.

More: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/tiniest-wallaby-pinocchio-frog-discovered-in-papuas-eden-20100518-vcb5.html

[BrklynLiberal]

1. cool.....

[mikelgb]

2. now that it has been disturbed time to rape it for it resources

hope this treasure lasts

[xchrom]

3. Recommending Awesome!