An ancient species of bird, Amazonius Albatrossus, believed to be extinct for over 20 million years, was found alive in the Amazon rainforest by explorers searching for new species in the area.
The bird’s wingspan is over 16 yards long, over half a football field!
Penny Farthing, Ph.D., a researcher from the Massachusetts Institute of Biological Studies says that the bird is carnivorous and hunts large, tree-dwelling mammals and other birds.
“It’s incredible to see such a large creature survive despite modern deforestation in the area. This bird is a majestic ancient vestige of a world before human civilization and we must do all we can to protect it,” Farthing said.
The part of the rain-forest where the bird was found has been devistated in recent years by lumber and mining corporations. Farthing and her team were often accosted by representatives of these companies while searching for new species. Despite this, Farthing says her research has been incredibly successful, and the crowning achievement is the discovery of Albatrossus, which she has nicknamed “Hitchcock.”
Farthing is optimistic that she will find another one of the birds soon to confirm her finding, but is concerned that development and building in the rain forest may leave Hitchcock as the last of his kind.