Living Species Once Thought Extinct: Nature’s True Survivors
Explore extraordinary stories of species believed extinct but astonishingly rediscovered, showing nature’s enduring resilience.
Throughout history, scientists and explorers have encountered extraordinary creatures that defy all odds—the so-called ‘Lazarus species.’ These are animals and plants once presumed extinct, only to be rediscovered alive and—sometimes—thriving in remote or overlooked habitats. Their stories captivate conservationists and the public alike, offering hope and underscoring the complexity and resilience of the natural world.
Introduction: The Enigma of Lazarus Species
The term Lazarus species refers to any living organism that reappears after being formally thought extinct for significant periods, sometimes centuries. Their rediscoveries are crucial reminders of both nature’s vulnerability and remarkable capacity for survival. With ongoing threats such as habitat loss, climate change, and exploitation, a third of assessed species globally face extinction, but these surprising returns from oblivion inspire conservationists around the world.
How Do Species Become “Lost”?
There are several reasons a species may be presumed extinct:
- Remote or inaccessible habitats: Some species inhabit regions infrequently visited by humans or scientists.
- Elusive behavior: Cryptic or nocturnal animals may be easily overlooked.
- Insufficient survey efforts: Limited fieldwork or lack of resources can mean areas go unstudied for decades.
- Confusion with similar species: Some organisms are misidentified, leading to underreporting.
Despite these challenges, advances in technology such as camera traps, environmental DNA analysis, and collaboration with indigenous communities have led to a growing number of amazing rediscoveries. Here are some of the most dramatic and inspiring examples of living species once thought extinct.
The Coelacanth: A Living Fossil Returns
Once known only from fossil records dating back over 360 million years, the coelacanth was presumed extinct since the late Cretaceous period. In 1938, this mysterious lobe-finned fish was found alive off the coast of South Africa, stunning the scientific world.
- Estimated extinction date: 66 million years ago (late Cretaceous)
- Rediscovery: 1938 by Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer
- Current status: Still found in the waters around Comoros and Indonesia; listed as endangered due to overfishing and habitat disturbance.
The coelacanth’s anatomy is so unique that it has offered scientists rare insights into the early evolution of vertebrates, including the transition from water to land life.
Wollemi Pine: The Dinosaur Tree
In 1994, a stunning botanical discovery occurred in a rugged canyon within Australia’s Wollemi National Park. The Wollemia nobilis, known as the “Wollemi pine,” had been believed extinct for at least 2 million years. Fewer than 100 mature trees have ever been located in the wild.
- Likely extinction date: Over 2 million years ago
- Rediscovery: 1994 by David Noble, a park ranger and botanist
- Current status: Critically endangered, but efforts to protect and propagate the species have been successful, with cultivated specimens now found worldwide.
The Wollemi pine is now a global symbol of hope for plant conservation.
What others are reading
The Night Parrot: Australia’s Elusive Avian Ghost
Among Australia’s strangest birds, the Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) is renowned for its ghost-like existence. Once widespread across Australia, the last confirmed sighting came in the early 20th century. After more than 75 years with no evidence of its existence, many believed the night parrot to be extinct.
- Presumed extinct: 1912
- Rediscovery: 2013 with photographic and physical evidence in western Queensland
- Current status: Critically endangered; ongoing efforts aim to map its distribution and protect its arid grassland habitat.
The night parrot’s rediscovery has energized Australian ornithology and generated major conservation campaigns.
Laotian Rock Rat: The “Living Fossil” Rodent
The Laotian rock rat (Laonastes aenigmamus), or kha-nyou, was unknown to science until specimens appeared in Asian food markets in the early 2000s. Initially thought to be a new species, genetic analysis revealed it represents a family (Diatomyidae) considered extinct since the Miocene, some 11 million years ago.
- Presumed extinction: ~11 million years ago
- Rediscovery: 2005 through market discovery and subsequent fieldwork in Laos
- Current status: Vulnerable; faces threats from habitat loss and hunting.
The Laotian rock rat’s existence offered an unparalleled opportunity to study rodent evolution and Southeast Asian biodiversity.
Lord Howe Island Stick Insect: The Tree Lobster’s Return
Native to Lord Howe Island in Australia, the Lord Howe Island stick insect (Dryococelus australis) was believed wiped out by rats in the 1920s.
- Presumed extinct: 1920s
- Rediscovery: 2001 on Ball’s Pyramid, a rocky sea stack 23 km from Lord Howe Island
- Current status: Critically endangered; a successful captive breeding program is underway with hopes for reintroduction.
The stick insect’s rediscovery emphasized the importance of careful ecosystem management and eradication of invasive species.
Takahi: New Zealand’s Flightless Survivor
Considered extinct since the late 19th century, New Zealand’s Takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri), a large, flightless rail, stunned scientists when it was found alive in 1948 in remote Fiordland.
- Last credible sighting: 1898
- Rediscovery: 1948 by a team led by Dr. Geoffrey Orbell
- Current status: Endangered; active conservation and breeding programs have increased numbers, though the species remains vulnerable to introduced predators.
Vicuna: Andean Camelid’s Recovery
Once presumed extinct due to overhunting, the vicuna (Vicugna vicugna) was rediscovered in the high Andes in the mid-20th century. Intensive protection has allowed their populations to rebound dramatically, making it one of the more hopeful stories among lost species.
- Presumed extinct: Early 20th century
- Rediscovery: 1950s in Peru and Bolivia
- Current status: Least concern, thanks to conservation efforts; numbers have increased from a few thousand to over 350,000.
Terror Skink: The Prehistoric Predator
Known only from subfossil remains, the Terror skink (Phoboscincus bocourti) earned its evocative name for its large size and fierce appearance. It was rediscovered alive in 2003 on a tiny islet near New Caledonia.
- Presumed extinct: Unknown, last fossil evidence from the late 19th century
- Rediscovery: 2003
- Current status: Critically endangered, known from only one small island and subject to targeted conservation monitoring.
Attenborough’s Long-Beaked Echidna: Mystery of the Cyclops Mountains
The long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus attenboroughi), also known as Attenborough’s echidna, was last recorded in Indonesia’s Cyclops Mountains in 1961, leading many to assume extinction. After decades of elusive hints, camera traps and indigenous reports confirmed its existence in 2023.
- Last confirmed sighting: 1961 (until rediscovered in 2023)
- Rediscovery methods: Collaborative fieldwork, participatory mapping with indigenous communities, and camera traps capturing photographic evidence
- Current status: Critically endangered; only known from the Cyclops region, with urgent conservation needs due to habitat loss and human encroachment.
The long-beaked echidna is among the world’s oldest living mammals, part of the highly unusual monotreme lineage. Its rediscovery after more than 60 years highlights the value of combining traditional ecological knowledge with modern research techniques.
| Species | Presumed Extinction Date | Rediscovery Date | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coelacanth | 66 million years ago | 1938 | Endangered |
| Wollemi pine | 2 million years ago | 1994 | Critically Endangered |
| Night parrot | 1912 | 2013 | Critically Endangered |
| Lord Howe Island stick insect | 1920s | 2001 | Critically Endangered |
| Takahē | 1898 | 1948 | Endangered |
| Vicuna | Early 1900s | 1950s | Least Concern |
| Terror skink | Late 19th century | 2003 | Critically Endangered |
| Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna | 1961 | 2023 | Critically Endangered |
Commonalities Among Lazarus Species
- Remote locations: Many were rediscovered in isolated islands, deep forests, or inhospitable terrain.
- Small populations: Rediscovered species often survive in tiny, fragmented populations vulnerable to extinction pressures.
- Local knowledge: Indigenous and local observations often guide scientists to populations ignored by formal surveys.
- Conservation urgency: Rediscoveries can be a double-edged sword, as publicity creates impetus for protection but may also lure collectors and poachers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is a “Lazarus species”?
A “Lazarus species” is any organism—animal or plant—once believed extinct but later found to be alive, sometimes after decades, centuries, or even millions of years.
Q: How are these species typically rediscovered?
Rediscoveries often occur thanks to improved research technology such as camera traps, environmental DNA, satellite imagery, and fieldwork guided by local and indigenous knowledge.
Q: Why do species go undetected for so long?
Many live in remote, hard-to-access environments or are extremely rare, cryptic in their behavior, or closely resemble other species, making detection challenging.
Q: Does rediscovery mean these species are safe from extinction?
Not necessarily. Rediscovered species are often at greater risk due to their small, isolated populations and ongoing threats. Conservation measures are urgently needed to ensure their survival.
Q: What lessons do Lazarus species teach us?
They demonstrate nature’s resilience, highlight the unknowns in biodiversity, and reinforce the importance of preserving habitats and supporting ongoing monitoring and conservation.
Conservation Implications and Moving Forward
The dramatic tales of Lazarus species remind us that scientific knowledge is always evolving and that even the rarest creatures might still persist, hidden in the world’s last wild places. However, rediscovery also brings fresh responsibility—ensuring that these “back from the dead” species receive the urgent protection they need. Supporting habitat preservation, ongoing research, and collaboration with local communities is essential to secure a future for these remarkable survivors.
Further Reading and Exploration
- Learn more about the science behind species rediscovery and conservation from leading natural history museums and conservation organizations.
- Support wildlife protection groups dedicated to preventing further extinctions and monitoring remote habitats for overlooked species.
References
- https://abcnews.go.com/US/scientists-confirmed-existence-200-million-year-species-thought/story?id=122773046
- https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/animals-once-presumed-extinct
- https://animals.howstuffworks.com/endangered-species/lazarus-species.htm
- https://www.treehuggerpod.com/episodes/recovering-lost-species
Similar Articles
Read full bio of medha deb
