An international team of scientists says it has found a "lost world" in the Indonesian jungle that is home to dozens of new animal and plant species. "It's as close to the Garden of Eden as you're going to find on Earth," said Bruce Beehler, co-leader of the group.
The team recorded new butterflies, frogs, and a series of remarkable plants that included five new palms and a giant rhododendron flower.
The survey also found a honeyeater bird that was previously unknown to science.
Bruce Beehler, co-leader of the expedition, said: "There was not a single trail, no sign of civiisation, no sign even of local communities ever having been there. It is as close as you can get to the Garden of Eden."
The findings of the team, from Conservation International and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, could prove one of the most spectacular scientific discoveries of recent years. After trekking through an area in the mist-shrouded Foja Mountains, located just north of the vast Mamberamo Basin of north-western (Indonesian) New Guinea, the researchers spent nearly a month in the locality, detailing the wildlife and plant life from the lower hills to near the summit of the Foja range, which reaches more than 2,000m in elevation.There was not a single trail, no sign of civiisation, no sign even of local communities ever having been there. It is as close as you can get to the Garden of Eden.
Dr Bruce Beehler, Conservation International
"We were dropped in by helicopter. There's not a trail anywhere; it was really hard to get around." continued Bruce
He said that even the headmens from the local indigious groups, Kwerba and Papasena, who accompanied the scientists, were astonished at the area's isolation.
"The men from the local villages came with us and they made it clear that no one they knew had been anywhere near this area - not even their ancestors," Mr Beehler said.
Unafraid of humans
