The 'Ilex sapiiformis', also known as the Pernambuco holly, a tree species last seen almost 200 years ago and believed to be extinct, has been rediscovered in the urban city of Igarassu, Pernambuco state, Brazil. The conservation group Re:wild found the tree during an expedition, noting it as one of their "top 25 most wanted lost species." This list, created in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), comprises over 2,200 species from 160 countries that have been missing for at least a decade. The recent discovery marks the ninth species from this list to be found since 2017. The Pernambuco holly was identified by its distinctive tiny white flowers in an area that was once a dense tropical rainforest. The team plans to initiate a breeding program to conserve the species.
Photo Credit: niko photos
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