Expedition Unearths Exotic Species on Mt. Everest, Himalayan Range

[GrnMarvl14]

Original article with pictures.

Mount Everest and the Himalaya mountain range conjure images of llamas and Sherpas loaded with heavy packs. But tucked into the cold shadows of the world's tallest mountain are biologically diverse hotspots filled with poorly known plants and animals found nowhere else on the globe.

Scientists from Conservation International and Disney's Animal Kingdom recently launched a two-month scientific expedition into six regions of the Tibetan "Sacred Lands" in the mountains of Southwest China and Nepal.

Today they announced the discovery of a pocket of the world rich in extraordinary flora and fauna.

"The fact that we found so many new species in such a harsh environment, as well as documented several rare and endangered species is good news for these two regions," said Leeanne Alonso, the expedition's lead scientist and vice president of the CI's Rapid Assessment Program.

Here's a sampling of the outlandish critters:

• Giant hornets so deadly locals call them "Yak Killers"
• Jumping "Yeti" mice
• A new grasshopper species in which the males hitch piggy-back rides on the females
• Baby blue-faced golden monkeys, the region's largest primates
• Hamster-like pikas that eat their own feces
• A couple of new frog species, eight new insect species, and ten new species of ants to add the more than 11,000 already known.

The full results of the expedition will be shared with numerous governments, scientists, and environmental and conservation organizations to develop strategies to protect the many unique species of the region.

"Local efforts by Tibetan communities through their 'Sacred Lands' are helping to prevent these plants and animals from going extinct and demonstrate that cultural values can play an important role in conservation," Alonso said.

Disney's film crew was rolling tape during the mission for a 2-hour documentary that will premiere April 15 at 8 p.m. on Discovery's Animal Planet.

They also mention a yellow ant that always builds its nests facing east. Yak-killing wasps, though...that's...that's not good.

 

[The Big Al]

Ever hear of the giant hornets of Japan? Those things are four-six inches long and can kill a full grow person with one sting.

I'm starting believe dinosuars may very well still exist in some remote area. With discoveries like these, who knows what is out there.

 

[Krucifier]

oh really? well i believe that dinosaurs were SMART!!!!! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!! no seriously i do........but that is interesting.......

 

[Josh]

oh really? well i believe that dinosaurs were SMART!!!!! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!! no seriously i do........but that is interesting.......

You didn't see Jurassic Park III huh?

Curious about the hornets, I wonder how big they actually are, and if they're poisonous, how many mg of poison can they inject with a sting? Although it is unlikely that they are posionous to a large extent.

As for Dinosaurs, I don't really think so personally, I mean, the climate of earth 65 Billion years ago would have been quite different to what it is like today, and with Dinosaurs being reptiles, and particularly more responsive to environment, then I'm not so sure. Prove me wrong though, I'd be thouroughly pleased if you did, dinosaurs living in this day and age would be amazing.

-Josh