Science News

New Species Found in Vietnam

In these days of globalization, international travel and exploration, it’s hard to imagine that there could still creatures hiding out there that have never been seen by man.

So, it comes as a wonderful surprise that scientists have uncovered a treasure trove of brand new species in a mysterious and remote part of central Vietnam known as the Green Corridor.  

These are the latest findings of an expedition run by the conservation organisation WWF.  Among the eleven new species found are a snake called the white-lipped keel back – a black snake that grows up to 80cm long, and has a striking white stripe running along it’s neck and belly, and there are also four species of orchid and two butterflies.

Another new species was a type of aspidistra – a group of plants well know as house plants – this new one has an almost completely black flower.

The region was already known as an area very high and unique biodiversity.  This is where most of the world’s white-cheeked gibbons live – one of the rarest and most endangered species of primate in the world, and this is also the place to go if you want to see a soala, a rare species of wild cattle that was only discovered in 1992.

One reason why this part of the world is thought to be home so many different species is because the mountain range, known as the Ammanites, crosses the boundary between the cooler, temperate zone in the north and the warm, tropical zone in the south leading to a rich mix of different creatures.

But sadly, the Green Corridor and all the animals and plants that live there, are threatened by the actions of man, including illegal logging, so it’s really encouraging that local authorities in the area, in collaboration with WWF, are pledging their commitment to conservation of these important forests and who knows what other amazing creatures might be discovered there.

Website:
The Green Corridor Project: www.huegreencorridor.org

30th Sep 2007