Via Care2:
Scientists were alerted to the monkey’s presence by hunters who said it was easy to find in the rain because its upturned nostrils made it prone to sneezing when water dripped in.
Sightings were reported from the eastern Himalayas to the northeastern Kachin state leading the team to conduct field surveys which led to the discovery of a small population of a new species which displays characteristics unlike any other snub-nosed species previously described.
Although the species is new to science, the local people are very familiar with it. Locals told scientists that to avoid getting rainwater in their noses the monkeys spend rainy days sitting with their heads tucked between their knees.
Unfortunately, the future of the mey nwoah, or ‘monkey with an upturned face’ is quite uncertain.
Scientists estimate that there are between 260 and 330 of the monkeys living in an area of about 270 sq km (100 sq miles). The area is being developed by China Power Investment Corp. as a new dam site, and many fear that construction and logging roads invading the area could negatively affect the critically endangered species.
9 comments:
It looks like Michael Jackson.
Which is exactly what I said when I saw it...LOL...I read the whole article just to make sure this wasn't some sort of joke.
Very interesting. Somehow, I knew that with the greatness of the discovery, human darkness couldn't be far behind. Maybe there is a nearby area they will move to? Not likely, but I've gotta have hope.
I kept waiting for some punchline about this monkey being related to a subset of the human species: those that also walk around with their "noses in the air."
Kyle, I think as the general population continues to grow, and we expand into previously (mostly) untouched areas, more such discoveries will occur. On the bright side, maybe we'll finally discover the Yeti. :(
Doc Rob, and then the moral of the story would be that being a snob leads to sneezing in the rain. :)
But this monkey really looks like a bear.
Now that monkey really looks cute! I hope scientists will be able to promote procreation.
Captain Muscle, rather than scientists helping the monkey procreate, we need to make larger strides in protecting that creatures natural habitat. As long as it has a home to live in, the rest will take care of itself. :)
Post a Comment