New species of carnivore discovered in Madagascar

An Article on Science Daily tells of a new species of a small carnivore was discovered in Madagascar. It was named Durrell's vontsira, which is named in the honour of Gerald Durrell, a conservationist and write who died 15 years ago.

It lives in the marshes of Lac Alotra wetlands in central eastern Madagascar. The Durrell's vontsira was first seen in 2004 swimming in a lake. It was recently identified as a new species by researchers from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, The Natural History Museum, London, Nature Heritage, Jersey, and Conservation International (CI). It was captured by Fidimalala Bruno Ralainasolo, a conservation biologist working for the Durrell Wildlife Consersavtion Trust.

It was first assumed to be the brown-tailed vontsira until it was captured and they noticed the skull, teeth and paws confirmed it was a competely different species and is adapted to the wetlands. There is not much known about this species since it there is not many and is rarely seen. It is the first new carnivorous species discovered in 24 years.

I chose this article because I find the animals of Madagascar to be very interesting. And also its interesting in itself since it is the discovery of a new species.