Posted on 04/07/2006 5:36:06 PM PDT by Daralundy
Mount Everest and the Himalaya mountain range conjure images of llamas and Sherpas loaded with heavy packs. But tucked into the cold shadows of the world's tallest mountain are biologically diverse hotspots filled with poorly known plants and animals found nowhere else on the globe.
Scientists from Conservation International and Disney's Animal Kingdom recently launched a two-month scientific expedition into six regions of the Tibetan "Sacred Lands" in the mountains of Southwest China and Nepal.
Today they announced the discovery of a pocket of the world rich in extraordinary flora and fauna.
"The fact that we found so many new species in such a harsh environment, as well as documented several rare and endangered species is good news for these two regions," said Leeanne Alonso, the expedition's lead scientist and vice president of the CI's Rapid Assessment Program.
Here's a sampling of the outlandish critters:
Giant hornets so deadly locals call them "Yak Killers" Jumping "Yeti" mice A new grasshopper species in which the males hitch piggy-back rides on the females Baby blue-faced golden monkeys, the region's largest primates Hamster-like pikas that eat their own feces A couple of new frog species, eight new insect species, and ten new species of ants to add the more than 11,000 already known.
The full results of the expedition will be shared with numerous governments, scientists, and environmental and conservation organizations to develop strategies to protect the many unique species of the region.
"Local efforts by Tibetan communities through their 'Sacred Lands' are helping to prevent these plants and animals from going extinct and demonstrate that cultural values can play an important role in conservation," Alonso said.
Unknown animals ping!
COOOOL!!!
Just don't bring any of those damn things home.
Ah, yes, last time I climbed Mt. Everest down in Bolivia, the llamas complained that it was entirely too far to walk, and they'd prefer I used muskox next time!
Everest Ping!
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Ping me when they find this exotic species. I lost one a few years ago and haven't been able to find her since. |
I'll take "jumping yeti mice" for 600, Alex...
Apparently there are rats that do this as well for the reason that this is the only way they can obtain vitamins that are produced by bacterial action in their lower intestine.
Yahoo "Science", eh? Llamas are native to South America and do not live in Asia.
As I understand it, feces is an elephants first solid meal. The bacterial process in thier gut won't begin without it.
I wonder if they will find the famed Shangrila...
Shangri-La?
AP. Scientists track Tibetan "Cow Killer" hornets
to shipment of snow cones made in Mexico.
AFP. Burbank man dies after sting from Tibetan hornet.
Reuters. "Elephant Killer" Hornets invade southern US,
local militas arm with shotguns in defense.
Brady Press Release.
The NRA is lauding the use of shotguns in the fight against
the much malined Buddhist Fruit Bee, soon the streets will
run red with the blood of other insects, the madness must
stop!"
The Hill. Senators KERRY and CLINTON today introduced the
Foreign Insects protection Bill House #2345 which outlaws
the use of assault rifles and shotguns for insect genocide.
It's a media spiral, that's what!
Will ya looka that mouse!!!
I swear I can see it's whiskers twitching!!
"Baby blue-faced golden monkeys"
Those are even rarer than golden-faced blue monkeys. ;')
"Hamster-like pikas that eat their own feces"
The neighbor's puppies are always dining in our cat box.. and they don't get their own news story..
Frightening New Species, the CarViperille
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