Scientists Stumble Upon a lost World.
Terry Kirby reports from London on 7th February that an
International
team of scientists has accidentally stumbled
upon a hitherto undiscovered “lost world” in the mountain
rain forests of New Guinea in Indonesia.
any new
species of birds, frogs, butterflies, giant
flowers and palm trees were discovered in the course of the
expedition through this area untouched by civilization so
far. Among the divergent display of flora and fauna was a
spectacular creature called Berlepsch’s six-wired bird of
paradise, named after the six spines on the top of its
head. This particular bird was previously thought
obliterated from the earth and was identified only from the
feathers of dead birds.
The pristine environment lies in the area spread over
300,000 hectres. The area is situated on the upper slopes
of the Foja Mountains, which reach a height of 2200 metres
and is unspoilt till now by human contact.
Dr. Bruce Beehler, of the group Conservation International
of America was
overwhelmed by a plethora of new species in
what was probably the most pristine eco-system in the whole
Asia Pacific region. He was overwhelmed during his last
visit for a month during last November and December and
hoped to return this year again.
According to Dr. Beehler, an expert on birds of paradise,
which are found in northern Australia and New Guinea, the
lack of wariness of all the animals was the most amazing.
Those species that included tree kangaroos, spiny
anteaters, rare bowerbirds (performing elaborate courtship
rituals) did not mind the presence of humans since that was
learnt behaviour.
These animals did not get any chance of learning anything
from humans since they did not have any brush with them.
Till last November and December, that is.