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Episode 348

Thought extinct for 6,000 years, two marsupial species have been discovered alive in New Guinea. Biologists have found a new genus of marsupial glider and the Pygmy Long-fingered Possum on a small Western part of the island.

One biologist said this discovery was “more important than finding a living Thylacine in Tasmania”.

Host Rowan Hooper is joined by Tim Flannery of the Australian Museum in Sydney, who led the team that confirmed the discovery. He tells us all about these quirky and cute creatures, one of which is held up as sacred by some Indigenous communities - who won’t even utter its name in public.

Learn about the glider’s habit of forming monogamous relationships and its gardening prowess. And discover why the long-fingered possum’s finger is so long.

Other key players in this research are Professor Kris Helgen, multiple researchers from the University of Papua - and some of the local villagers.

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

Glider image credits: Dewa, Australian Museum

Other image credits: Flannery et al

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