Giant bee, elephant shrew… thought to be ‘extinct’ found after many decades

According to information from the Guinness World Records website, there are eight such creatures.

1. Wallace giant bee

The giant wasp Wallace found in 2019 after nearly 40 years of disappearance – Photo: NBC NEWS

Wallace giant bee (scientific name is Megachile Pluto) was found in 2019 after nearly 40 years of disappearance. This bee measures up to 4.5cm in length and has a wingspan of up to 6cm.

They were discovered by US and Australian scientists on the remote Moluccas archipelago in northeastern Indonesia.

“Finding and re-conserving this bee will open up a brighter future for this species,” said Robin Moore, of the Global Wildlife Trust.

2. Jackson climbing lizard

Jackson climbing lizard found after 42 years of not being seen – Photo: LIVE SCIENCE

Rediscovered in 2017 after about 42 years, the Jackson climbing lizard is also known as the “golden wonder”. Their scientific name is Bolitoglossa.

This lizard was discovered by a guard at the Yal Unin Yul Witz Reserve in Guatemala (a Central American country) during his lunch break. Soon, a program led by FUNDAECO (Organization for Ecological Conservation and Development) came and supported this rare creature.

According to the Guinness World Records website, despite being rediscovered, the Jackson climbing lizard is still critically endangered.

3. Cheo Cheo

Cheo Cheo was rediscovered in 2019 after not being seen for 28 years – Photo: CNN

Cheo Cheo (scientific name is ) Tragulus Versicolor) was rediscovered in 2019 after 28 years “missing”.

They were discovered in a forest of Vietnam. This is a small animal with a silver luster on its rump.

Currently, the Southern Institute of Ecology (Vietnam) and the Leibniz Wildlife Research Institute are continuing to search and conduct studies on the distribution and threats to Cheo Cheo.

4. Somali elephant shrew

Somali elephant shrew rediscovered after 51 years – Photo: MY MODERN NET

Somali elephant shrew (scientific name is ) Elephantulus Revoli) was rediscovered in 2022 after not being seen for 51 years since 1968 in Somalia.

They were found in Djibouti, an eastern African country, by a team of scientists that includes Steven Heritage, Galen Rathbun and Houssein Rayaleh.

According to the data collected, this rat is closely related to elephants despite its small size. Besides, elephant shrews currently have a very large number of individuals.

5. Turtle Fernandina Galapagos

Fernandina Galapagos tortoise was rediscovered after 113 years – Photo: REWILD

Fernandina Galapagos Tortoise (scientific name is Chelonoidis Phantasticus) was rediscovered in 2019 after 113 years.

They were discovered during an expedition to the Galapagos island of Ecuador by the island’s conservation organization.

According to the Guinness World Records website, this turtle is extremely rare and is on the red list of endangered animals.

6. Sierra Leone Crab

Sierra Leone crab was rediscovered after about 66 years – Photo: MONGABAY

This crab species (scientific name is Afrithelphusa Leonensis) Okay discovered in 2021 after 66 years since it was last seen in 1955.

They were discovered by expert on rare animals – Mr. Pierre A. Mvogo Ndongo in the freshwater of West Africa.

He said the Sierra Leone crabs live in a burrow in the ground and away from water.

7. Voeltzkow’s chameleon

Voeltzkow chameleon rediscovered after 105 years – PHOTO RE:WILD

Voeltzkow chameleon was rediscovered in 2018 105 years after 1913. They have the scientific name of Furcifer Voeltzkowi.

An expedition led by Frank Glaw, head of the department of vertebrates in Munich, arrived in Madagascar and discovered this unique creature.

Zanotelli, who was part of the expedition with Glaw, said: “The Voeltzkow chameleon is a powerful symbol and needs to be preserved.”

8. Vase plant

The velvet vase tree was rediscovered after 101 years of not being seen – Photo: CHIENCLEE

This plant (scientific name is ) Nepenthes Mollis) was rediscovered in 2019 after 101 years of “missing”.

A team of botanists discovered the velvet vase after a trip to the wilderness of the Bornean island, located northwest of the island of Java (Indonesia).