Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Learn about the Attenborough’s long-beaked #echidna Zaglossus attenboroughi, known locally as “Payangko,” is one of the most evolutionarily distinct mammals and is native to the Cyclops Mountains in Indonesian occupied West Papua. This critically endangered egg-producing mammal who have a unique feeding technique and smaller size compared to other long-beaked echidnas. Long thought extinct and despite not being recorded by scientists since 1961, a recent trip led to their rediscovery in 2023, offering renewed hope for the species.
Living in #WestPapua, the Attenborough’s Long-Beaked #Echidna was thought extinct until rediscovery in 2023. They’re now on the knife-edge of survival from #palmoil #mining #deforestation. Help them and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-7Qj
Part of an ancient group of egg-laying monotreme #mammals, Attenborough Long-Beaked #Echidnas of #WestPapua are critically endangered. Fight for their survival when you shop and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife via @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-7Qj
Key Takeaways
- Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna, or Zaglossus attenboroughi and also known as Payangko to Melanesian indigenous communities is a critically endangered egg-laying mammal.
- This echidna of the Cyclops Mountains in West Papua was “rediscovered” by western scientists in 2023 after being given up as extinct since 1961.
- This species faces significant threats including habitat destruction, hunting, and palm oil agriculture in West Papua.
- Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna has a unique feeding behavior, uses its beak for digging, and leaves distinctive ‘nose pokes’ in the soil.
- Their breeding occurs annually, with the female laying an egg that develops in her pouch for about eight weeks before weaning for seven months.
- Supporting conservation efforts and boycotting palm oil can aid in the survival of Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna.
Table of contents
- Appearance of the Cyclops Mountains echidna
- Threats
- Habitat
- Diet of Zaglossus attenboroughi
- Mating and reproduction
- Support the conservation of this species
- Further Information
- How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?
- Take action in five ways!
- Learn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture
- Learn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing
- Read more about RSPO greenwashing
- A 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)
Attenborough’s Long-Beaked Echidna Zaglossus attenboroughi
Red list status: Critically Endangered
Extant (resident): West Papua
Appearance of the Cyclops Mountains echidna
As the smallest member of the genus Zaglossus, the Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna is similar in size to the short-beaked echidna. Males have spurs on their hind legs, and both sexes sport a long, narrow beak. They mostly live alone, coming together only once a year to mate. When threatened, they curl into a spiny ball, looking like a hedgehog.
- Monotreme Lineage: One of the few egg-laying mammals, with ancestors dating back 46 million years.
- Rediscovered Species: After not being recorded for over six decades, this critically endangered species was spotted through trail camera footage in 2023.
- Nose Pokes: Their unusual feeding behaviour leaves behind “nose pokes” in the soil, revealing where they dig for worms and insects.
Threats
Long thought extinct for decades, a chance discovery of them on camera traps revealed they have survived. Yet they are critically endangered due to serious ongoing threats:
- Hunting with dogs: Local hunting practices using trained dogs to detect their burrows pose a significant threat.
- Habitat destruction: Logging for timber, palm oil agriculture, and forest conversion for gold mining make these echidnas put these animals at risk.
- Hunting: Destruction of forests puts Zaglossus at risk from hunters who move into forested areas via newly created roads.
You can help them to survive when you actively avoid and boycott products with palm oil in them and support local efforts to protect them. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
Habitat
This species is found exclusively in the tropical montane forests of the Cyclops Mountains in Papua, Indonesia. Their range includes lowland to montane regions.
Diet of Zaglossus attenboroughi
This mysterious echidna of the Cyclops Mountains eats worms, ants, insect larvae and ants. They use their long beaks to sniff out prey and then dig with their powerful claws, leaving behind the characteristic “nose poke” marks.
Mating and reproduction
Attenborough’s long-beaked echidnas come together only once a year for mating. The female lays an egg, and the offspring remain in the mother’s pouch for around eight weeks until their spines develop. They have a long weaning period of approximately seven months.
Support Attenborough’s Long-Beaked Echidna by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Further Information
Leary, T., Seri, L., Flannery, T., Wright, D., Hamilton, S., Helgen, K., Singadan, R., Menzies, J., Allison, A., James, R., Aplin, K., Salas, L. & Dickman, C. 2016. Zaglossus attenboroughi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T136322A21964353. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T136322A21964353.en. Accessed on 09 May 2024.
Re:wild. (2023). Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna rediscovered. https://rewild.org/news/attenboroughs-long-beaked-echidna-rediscovered
Reuters. (2023, November 10). Species of mammal named after David Attenborough believed extinct rediscovered. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/10/attenborough-long-beaked-echidna-seen-first-time-cyclops-mountain-photos-footage
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attenborough%27s_long-beaked_echidna
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Learn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture
Learn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing
Read more about RSPO greenwashing
A 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)
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