Throughout history, countless species have vanished from the planet; some lost to time, others preserved only in stories and fossils. Yet, nature occasionally surprises us. A handful of creatures once declared extinct have reappeared, defying scientific expectations and reigniting hope for conservation. According to BBC’s Discover Wildlife, here are 10 extraordinary examples of animals that made a comeback after being presumed lost forever. (Image: Pexels)
Long-beaked Echidna: These spiny, egg-laying mammals hadn’t been seen since 1961 and were thought extinct. That changed in November 2023, when researchers spotted one in Indonesia’s Cyclops Mountains, nearly 60 years later. The sighting stunned scientists and sparked renewed interest in the species. (Image: Pexels)
Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon: Last seen in 1969, this rare Australian lizard was believed extinct after a 2019 study. But in 2023, it was rediscovered, proving that even the smallest creatures can surprise us. (Image: Pexels)
Coelacanth: Perhaps the most astonishing comeback, this ancient fish was thought to have disappeared 60 million years ago. In 1938, a fisherman off South Africa’s coast caught one, and a museum researcher identified it as a living fossil. (Image: Pexels)
Chacoan Peccary: Known only through fossils, this pig-like animal was presumed extinct for centuries. In 1971, reports from Argentina’s Chaco region revealed its existence, marking a major rediscovery in mammalogy. (Image: Pexels)
Wallace’s Giant Bee: Four times the size of a regular bee, this giant insect hadn’t been seen since 1981. In 2019, scientists found it again, though it remains critically endangered. (Image: Pexels)
Cuban Solenodon: This venomous, rat-like creature was declared extinct in 1960 and officially wiped out by 1970. But in 1974, it was spotted in a Cuban national park, proving its resilience. (Image: Pexels)
New Guinea Big-eared Bat: First captured in 1890 and named in 1914, this bat vanished for over a century. In 2012, PhD students in New Guinea stumbled upon a mysterious specimen, later confirmed to be the long-lost species. (Image: Pexels)
Terror Skink: Documented in 1870 and thought extinct by 1876, this fearsome-looking lizard reappeared in 2000 near New Caledonia. Its rediscovery added a new chapter to reptile conservation. (Image: Pexels)
Antioquia Brushfinch: This Colombian bird hadn’t been seen for 50 years until it was rediscovered in 2018. Its return gave ornithologists a reason to celebrate. (Image: Pexels)
Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger): Officially extinct since 1936, the Thylacine remains a symbol of lost biodiversity. Though never rediscovered, some optimists believe it may still exist. Scientists estimate less than a 1% chance of survival, but haven’t ruled it out entirely. (Image: Pexels)
