Pinocchio Frog Among Dozens of New Species

Scientists on an expedition to a remote part of Indonesia known as the "Lost World" discovered over two dozen new species, including a "Pinocchio" tree frog with an inflatable nose and the smallest known member of the kangaroo family. The scientists say the finds, in a mountain range on the Indonesian half of the island of New Guinea, show that the area is even richer in wildlife than had been believed. They chose the week of this year's International Day for Biological Diversity to announce the discoveries.

"While animals and plants are being wiped out across the globe at a pace never seen in millions of years, the discovery of these absolutely incredible forms of life is much needed positive news," a senior scientist at the wildlife charity Conservation International who took part in the expedition tells the Independent. "Places like these represent a healthy future for all of us and show that it is not too late to stop the current species extinction crisis." (More Indonesia stories.)