Extinct Holly Tree Found in South America After Not Being Seen For Nearly 200 Years
The Pernambuco holly was discovered again in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco after being presumed extinct for 186 years. The small holly tree was identified after four specimens were examined by a local expedition…
The Pernambuco holly was discovered again in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco after being presumed extinct for 186 years.
The small holly tree was identified after four specimens were examined by a local expedition team, according to the Good News Network.
Re:Wild reported that ecologist with Navia Biodiversity Ltd., Gustavo Martinelli, headed the expedition.
The team spent six days searching before they found four Pernambuco holly plants.
Martinelli stated, “The Pernambuco holly is in an emergency situation now,” per Re:Wild. “It could be on the verge of extinction because, as far as we know, there are just four individuals of the species.”
He then concluded, “And these individuals are in an area of degraded riparian forest, despite being protected by law.”
According to Re:Wild, project team member Juliana Alencar celebrated the discovery noting, “The moment when we found Ilex sapiiformis, it seemed that the world had stopped turning its gears.”
“Nature surprises us. Finding a species that hasn’t been heard of in nearly two centuries doesn’t happen every day,” she added. “It was an incredible moment, and the emotion of it was felt throughout the entire team.”