LONDON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Scientists have rediscovered a long-lost species of mammal described as having the spines of a hedgehog, the snout of an anteater and the feet of a mole, in Indonesia's Cyclops Mountains more than 60 years after it was last recorded.
The species has only been scientifically recorded once before, by a Dutch botanist in 1961.
A different echidna species is found throughout Australia and lowland New Guinea.
Kempton's team survived an earthquake, malaria and even a leech attached to an eyeball during their trip.
They worked with the local village Yongsu Sapari to navigate and explore the remote terrain of northeastern Papua.
Persons:
David Attenborough, James Kempton, Kempton, Kempton's, Yongsu, William James, Alex Richardson
Organizations:
Oxford University, Thomson
Locations:
British, Dutch, Australia, New Guinea, Papua