Ancient Wild Dog Population Feared Extinct Captured on Camera

Extinct' Mountain Dogs Re-Discovered in the Wild

The New Guinea highland wild dog was feared extinct in the wild after nearly half a century without a confirmed sighting. But after a pawprint and other possible signs in 2016, researchers set up camera traps in their remote mountain habitat. What resulted were more than 140 photos showing at least 15 individual wild dogs. Research is ongoing to the genetic relationship between this species and the New Guinea singing dog, a captive-bred variant of the wild dog, as well as the Australian dingo. Researchers are optimistic about the New Guinea wild dog's chance of survival, particularly since the local mining companies have already been taking measures to protect the ecosystem around the mining sites in this remote location.

What good news! It is the wild dog of the highlands of New Guinea, a species considered the missing link between the first canines and the modern domestic dogs and, to this day, is the oldest species of canid that exists.

And this is because this species has remained isolated from the human being and has not been able to be subjected to selective breeding. We are talking about that dog breed predates human farming. An incredible find.

The New Guinea highland wild dog was believed to have been extinct for more than 50 years, however, a research team at the University of Papua New Guinea believed to have found definitive clues to its existence: footprints, excrement, Lairs ... until he was able to take photographs of the group of dogs in the wild. Can you imagine the moment of the emotion of the photographers and researchers?

The dogs live isolated at about 3,700 - 4,600 meters in the mountains on the sea level, in very remote areas and difficult to reach. The hidden cameras captured a community of about 15 wild dogs. Among them, several males and females, which have pups between three and five months old.

We only hope that this discovery will not become a tourist attraction and allow these dogs to live in their habitat, in their complete isolation, away from the hand of the man who, unfortunately, destroys more than he builds.

Via: National Geographics