Javan Elephant
So not long after Europeans came to southeast Asia scientists thought the Javan elephant went extinct. However, it looks like a ceremonial elephant trade centuries ago saved the Javan elephant from the fate of the dodo. Locals believed that the Sultan of Sulu (which is now part of the Philippines) transplanted elephants from Java to Borneo, which wouldn’t have been uncommon at the time. In 2003, a study concluded that the Borneo pygmy elephant are genetically distinct from other Asian elephants and likely originated on Java.
Javan Elephant1
Takahe
This is a native New Zealand flightless bird. They were considered extinct in 1898 after four specimens were killed and mounted for museums. But have no fear, because in 1948 the bird was rediscovered near Lake Te Anau. Even though they were once abundant, there are now only a few hundred. How colorful and beautiful is this Takahe?
Takahe
