Scientists had thought it had disappeared forever: In South Africa, traces of the “golden mole,” a small blind animal with iridescent fur but highly developed hearing, were found in South Africa for the first time after an 87-year absence.
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A team of researchers from a local NGO and the University of Pretoria, which has been on the trail of the insect-eating mammal since 2021, announced in a press release on Tuesday that they had discovered two specimens of the species known to “swim” in sand. . the beaches around the small port town of Port Nolloth (northwest).
The animal was last seen in scientists’ memory in 1936.
AFP
The task for the conservationists and geneticists was difficult: “Up to 18 kilometers of habitat dug into the dunes” were searched every day, Esther Matthew, field manager for the South African NGO, told AFP. Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT).
The animal, scientifically called De Winton’s mole, generally lives in burrows that are difficult for humans to access. And her good hearing, which allows her to detect movements on the ground thanks to vibrations, probably also helped her escape from the search parties.
“It is also very difficult to find the golden mole because the tunnel it digs in the sand while swimming collapses behind it. It then leaves no trace,” explains Ms. Matthew.
The scientists used environmental DNA to detect the animal’s presence and trace the genetic traces it had accidentally left here and there in the form of skin cells, hair and body secretions.
The researchers also located the moles using a dog. “It was like a crime novel,” says Esther Matthew.
“Now that we know the golden mole still exists, we know we can still save it,” said Devin Murphy of the NGO Re:Wild, a research partner.
Conservationists denounce that the golden mole is particularly threatened by mines and the development of residential areas near the beach, which interfere with its natural habitat.