An expedition led by MacArthur grantee Wildlife Conservation Society to a remote corner of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has uncovered forests containing six new animal species: a bat, a rodent, two shrews, and two frogs. The forested region had been off limits to scientists since 1960 because of continued instability in the area. In spite of the conflict and related environmental degradation, the survey team found 400 square miles of intact forest extremely rich in biodiversity, containing large mammals such as chimpanzees, bongos, buffalo, elephants, leopards, and several types of monkey, including an endemic subspecies of colobus. The survey also found a high diversity of birds, reptile, and amphibian species.
Related Grantees
Learn more about Conservation & Sustainable Development
