Sneezing monkey and ‘walking’ fish among new species found in Himalayas

A monkey which sneezes in the rain and a “walking” fish are among more than 200 new species discovered in the Eastern Himalayas in recent years. A report on wildlife in Nepal, Bhutan, the far north of Burma, southern Tibet and north-eastern India has revealed discoveries in the past five years including 133 plants, 26 species of fish, 10 new amphibians, one reptile, one bird and one mammal. The discoveries include a new bird named the spotted wren-babbler, a striking blue-eyed frog and a lance-headed pit viper snake with an ornate yellow, red and orange pattern that could pass for a piece of jewellery, conservation organisation WWF said.

These discoveries show that there is still a huge amount to learn about the species that share our world.

Heather Sohl, WWF-UK’s chief adviser of species

Scientists learned of the snub-nosed monkey - or “Snubby” as they nicknamed the species - from locals in the remote forests of northern Burma, who said it was easy to find when it was raining because it often got rainwater in its upturned nose, causing it to sneeze. To avoid the problem, snub-nosed monkeys spend rainy days sitting with their heads tucked between their knees, the report said. But the report also warns of the threats facing the newly-discovered species, with just a quarter of the original habitats in the region still intact and hundreds of plants and animals living in the Eastern Himalayas considered to be globally threatened. Climate change is the most serious threat to the region.

With discovery, comes the important responsibility to continue protecting and caring for these precious gift that this world has been blessed with.

Dechen Dorji of WWF Bhutan

Science Himalayas