Two New Mammals Discovered in Papua

Both of the mammals were found by researchers from LIPI and Conservation International
Not so long ago, a follow up expedition conducted by a number of scientists have scanned the areas of Foja Mountain in Papua and successfully discovered two new species of mammals.
The two new mammals were a possum-like animal, Pygmy possum cercatetus, and a giant rat, Mallomys. Both mammals were discovered by a group of scientists from the Indonesian Institute of Science (Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia / LIPI) and Conservation International (CI) in June 2007. During their first expedition in late 2005, the scientists were shocked when they found many animals new to the science world and also the very rich diversity of floras and faunas in Papua. 

Hence, that area was then become known as ‘the lost paradise’. “During our expedition last June, our team documented two mammals. Both are still under study and they seem to be new for the science world,” said Bruce Beehler, vice president of CI, who led that expedition as quoted from Livescience last week.
According to Beehler, the size of the rat found was almost five times your normal city rat. When it was found, the animal was not afraid of humans; they even often visited the camp. Meanwhile the Possum could be fittingly called the smallest marsupial in the world because it was just as big as the palms of your hand. It was so tame that it jumped and calmly walked around on their arms and camera brought during that expedition.
Discovery of new mammals like this is a rare event because most have been documented already. Foja is part of the Mamberamo River valley, the largest untouched tropical forest in Asia-Pacific. The Indonesian government has announced that area as a conservation sanctuary.
CI and LIPI have plans to go for another expedition into that mountain in the end of 2008 or in 2009. This expedition is to survey the forests at the highest peaks and deepest valleys which have not received much study. There, they expected more new species, from frogs, mammals, butterflies to new plants. eye
Source: Republika