Headline:
Rare Golden Moles Rediscovered in South Africa After 86-Year Absence
Article:
Johannesburg – In an extraordinary discovery, the De Winton’s golden mole, a species thought to be extinct for over eight decades, has been found once again in South Africa. This small, elusive creature with a distinctive golden coat was last seen in 1936. Conservationists had worried that it might have vanished forever.
The mole, also known as a mole-rat, was rediscovered on the western coast of South Africa, over 1,000 kilometers away from its previously known habitat in the Cape Province. This unexpected find has reignited hope for the survival of this unique species.
Image: A De Winton’s golden mole found on a sand dune in western South Africa. Photo: JP Le Roux via CNN.
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and researchers from the University of Pretoria spent two years searching for these elusive creatures. They used a combination of DNA sampling and trained detection dogs to pinpoint their location. This careful, methodical approach has paid off, providing valuable insight into the mole’s current distribution and habits.
The De Winton’s golden mole is described as hamster-sized with a coat that shimmers like gold sand. It digs intricate burrows, rarely emerging from its subterranean network. Its elusiveness coupled with its habitat destruction due to diamond mining made it challenging to track.
To identify the mole, researchers used Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, which detects DNA shed by the mole into the environment. Over several days, they scoured a vast dune system with their detection dog, Jessie, collecting soil samples. The results revealed the presence of the rare mammals in the area.
This remarkable rediscovery is a triumph for global conservation efforts, offering hope that other presumed-extinct species might still exist. It also underscores the power of using eDNA to monitor endangered or elusive wildlife.
However, there’s still much work to do. The moles’ habitat is under threat from diamond mining activities. Continued conservation efforts are crucial to ensure the survival of this remarkable creature and others like it.
Sources: Endangered Wildlife Trust, University of Pretoria, CNN
