Long lost mammal named after David Attenborough rediscovered after 60 years

Echidnas have been called “living fossils”. They are believed to have emerged about 200 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

Having descended from the mountains at the end of the trip, British biologist James Kempton found the images of the small creature walking through the forest undergrowth on the last memory card retrieved from more than 80 remote cameras.

“There was a great sense of euphoria, and also relief having spent so long in the field with no reward until the very final day," he said, describing the moment he first saw the footage with collaborators from Indonesian conservation group.

“I shouted out to my colleagues that were still remaining... and said 'we found it, we found it' - I ran in from my desk to the living room and hugged the guys.

Echidnas share their name with a half-woman, half-serpent Greek mythological creature, and were described by the team as shy, nocturnal burrow-dwellers who are notoriously difficult to find.

The species has only been scientifically recorded once before, by a Dutch botanist in 1961.

• 'UNPRECEDENTED' risk with Pro-Palestine protests on Armistice Day says security specialist
• ‘Veterans told DON’T wear medals on way to Remembrance’ Colonel Kemp reveals horrifying reality of Britain: ‘Lost for words!’
• Children heard saying ‘from river to sea, Palestine will be free’ as they miss school to protest

Short-beaked echidnas are common throughout Australia and lowland New Guinea.

Apart from the duck-billed platypus, the echidna is the only mammal that lays eggs.