Lisa O
Sometimes, we lose hope in a species too quickly. Just because a creature hasn’t been seen for decades or centuries doesn’t always mean it’s gone forever. These “Lazarus species,” named after a man brought back to life by Jesus in the Bible, often go unnoticed because they’re small or live in hard-to-reach places. Here are 15 species that were thought extinct but recently reappeared.
Coelacanth
Imagine thinking a species had been extinct for 66 million years—only for it to pop up alive and swimming! The Coelacanth, a prehistoric fish with lobed fins, was found off the coast of South Africa in 1938 by a shocked museum curator. This deep-sea creature has a unique way of moving its fins like a land animal walking underwater. Since its discovery, more have been found in the waters near Madagascar and Indonesia.
Pygmy Tarsier
The Pygmy Tarsier is a tiny primate with massive eyes that make it look like a real-life gremlin. Believed to be extinct since the early 1900s, it made a surprise comeback in 2008 when a group of researchers accidentally trapped one in the misty mountains of Sulawesi, Indonesia. These little critters are known for their nocturnal lifestyle and weird, chirping calls, and they’re so sneaky that even the locals hardly ever spot them.
Lord Howe Island Stick Insect
Nicknamed the “tree lobster” because of its size, this big, black insect was thought to have been wiped out when rats took over Lord Howe Island in the 1920s. But, against all odds, a tiny group of them was discovered in 2001 clinging to life on Ball’s Pyramid—a jagged rock sticking out of the ocean, about 12 miles from their original home. Today, they symbolize hope for conservation, with plans underway to bring them back.
Laotian Rock Rat
When scientists stumbled upon a strange rodent for sale in a local market in Laos in 2005, they couldn’t believe their eyes. Dubbed the “rat squirrel” due to its bushy tail, the Laotian Rock Rat was thought to have gone extinct over 11 million years ago. Its rediscovery wasn’t just a lucky find—it was a living reminder that entire branches of the tree of life could still be out there, hiding in plain sight among us.
Cuban Solenodon
The Cuban Solenodon, a venomous, nocturnal critter that looks like a mashup of a rat and an anteater, had yet to be seen since 1890. Then, out of the blue, it was rediscovered in 2003. What really sets the solenodon apart is its venomous bite—pretty rare for a mammal—and its super-primitive DNA, which gives scientists a unique peek into the past of mammalian evolution.
Wollemi Pine
Before 1994, the Wollemi Pine was something you’d only see in 2-million-year-old fossils. Then, a park ranger stumbled upon a hidden grove of these “dinosaur trees” in a remote canyon in Australia’s Blue Mountains, and it was like stepping into a real-life Jurassic Park. With only about 100 mature trees around, they’re incredibly rare and precious. These ancient survivors are now some of the most guarded plants on the planet.
Javan Elephant
The Javan Elephant was thought to have been hunted to extinction back in the 19th century. But in a surprising twist, researchers in 2003 suggested that a group of elephants found in Borneo might actually be the same species, secretly relocated there by the Sultan of Java centuries ago. If this theory is right, these elephants didn’t just survive—they thrived in their new home.
Fernandina Giant Tortoise
Believed to be extinct for over a century, the Fernandina Giant Tortoise made a shocking comeback in 2019 on the rugged, volcanic terrain of Fernandina Island in the Galápagos. This old lady, nicknamed “Fernanda,” was found covered in cactus thorns and is thought to be over 100 years old! Her discovery has conservationists buzzing with excitement, believing there could be more of these elusive tortoises hiding out on the island.
Black-Browed Babbler
Missing for almost 170 years, the Black-Browed Babbler was spotted again in 2020 by two local birdwatchers in Borneo, Indonesia. Dubbed “Asia’s biggest bird mystery,” this small, nondescript bird turned out to be a master of disguise, blending into the dense forest like an expert. Its comeback showed us that even after nearly two centuries, nature still has a few surprises up its sleeve.
New Guinea Singing Dog
Known for their distinctive, melodic howling, New Guinea Singing Dogs were believed to be extinct in the wild since the 1970s. But in 2016, a pack was spotted in the remote highlands of New Guinea, proving they were still out there. These wild dogs turned out to be tougher and more elusive than anyone realized, surviving in one of the least explored corners of the planet while serenading the mountains with their haunting songs.
Takahe
Once written off as extinct in 1898, the Takahe, a big, colorful, flightless bird, was rediscovered in 1948 in New Zealand’s remote Murchison Mountains. With its eye-catching blue and green feathers, the Takahe became a symbol of conservation, sparking a huge national effort to save it. Even though it’s still critically endangered, the bird’s numbers are slowly creeping up—thanks to some serious breeding and protection work.
Caspian Horse
The Caspian Horse, a small but mighty breed believed to have disappeared over 1,300 years ago, was discovered alive and kicking in 1965 in the rugged mountains of northern Iran. Known as “royal horses,” these steeds were highly valued by ancient Persian royalty for their incredible jumping ability and knack for handling tough terrain.
Terror Skink
Known from just one specimen collected in 1870, the Terror Skink was rediscovered in 2003 on a tiny island in New Caledonia. True to its name, this skink has sharp teeth and a meat-eating diet, which is pretty unusual for its kind. Its reappearance felt like something out of a thriller, showing that even so-called “lost” predators can stay hidden for over a century.
Omura’s Whale
Omura’s Whale, a small and enigmatic baleen whale, was an oceanic mystery until 2015 when it was finally spotted alive near Madagascar. Before then, it was known only from bone fragments and genetic clues—leaving many to question if it even existed. Its rediscovery proved that it’s real and highlighted how much we still don’t know about our oceans.
Ivory-Billed Woodpecker
Long thought to be extinct because of habitat loss, the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker grabbed headlines in 2004 when it was spotted in the thick swamps of Arkansas. Known as the “Holy Grail” of birdwatching, this big woodpecker remains a hot topic, with no solid proof like clear photos or videos to back up its sightings. Whether it’s truly still around or not, its story keeps fueling hope and curiosity about the hidden marvels of the natural world.