Creatures once thought extinct and a century-old mystery: Latest wildlife stories

The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are being discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses.

Take a look at some recent animal encounters:

Fishers knew of elusive mammal in India park. It’s photographed for first time

In the Papikonda National Park of India, researchers captured the first-ever photographs of a smooth-coated otter, a vulnerable species. This elusive mammal was spotted resting by the Godavari River, confirming its presence in the area despite previous anecdotal reports. The sighting highlights the importance of the park for freshwater biodiversity. | Published Sept. 26 | Read More |

Locally extinct predator appears on UK trail camera. See ‘bouncy little fella’

In the Mendip Hills of southwestern England, a pine marten, considered locally extinct for over 100 years, was caught on a trail camera. The nocturnal creature, known for its elusive nature, was a delightful surprise for the conservationists monitoring the area. Despite efforts to spot it again, the pine marten has not reappeared. | Published Sept. 29 | Read More |

‘Dwarf’-like creature seen on trail camera climbing a bridge in Peru rainforest

In the northeastern Peruvian Amazon, a streaked dwarf porcupine was spotted using an artificial canopy bridge. This cryptic species, first described in 2001, was among several mammals recorded by trail cameras set up by researchers. The study underscores the effectiveness of canopy bridges in supporting arboreal mammal movements in tropical forests. | Published Sept. 30 | Read More |

180-year-old mystery involving ‘iconic’ extinct bird is solved — in Cincinnati

The last female great auk, an iconic extinct bird, was discovered to have been in Cincinnati for the past 50 years. DNA sequencing confirmed the bird’s identity, resolving a long-standing mystery about the whereabouts of the last pair of great auks. This discovery sheds light on the history of the species’ extinction. | Published Oct. 1 | Read More |

Park ranger spots unfamiliar creature — and rediscovers species after 20 years

In the Colombian Andes, a park ranger rediscovered Atelopus marinkellei, a critically endangered harlequin toad, after 20 years of no sightings. The toad, found in the Páramo de Siscunsí, highlights the importance of community involvement in conservation efforts. The discovery calls for urgent conservation actions to protect the species. | Published Oct. 1 | Read More |

This story was originally published October 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM with the headline "Creatures once thought extinct and a century-old mystery: Latest wildlife stories."