I was rather excited to read this morning that a woodpecker considered extinct since 1944 has been rediscovered. The story is at ABC Online.
According to Cornell University ornithologist Tim Gallagher, “Its like a funeral shroud has been pulled back, giving us a glimpse of a living bird, rising Lazarus-like from the grave.”
I just thought, “How Wonderful!”
It reminded me of rediscoveries in Australia: Mahogany glider, North Queensland, 1988; Leadbeaters possum, Central Highlands, Victoria, 1966.
Does anyone know of others?
Also what about recent extinctions? Does anyone know of any?
According to the 2002 ABS Measuring Australia’s Progress Report there don’t appear to have been any official extinctions in Australia during the last two decades.
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD has worked in industry and government. She is currently researching a novel technique for long-range weather forecasting funded by the B. Macfie Family Foundation.