Dog Thought To Be Extinct Is Rediscovered In The Wild

[Cattledog]

http://iheartdogs.com/ancient-dog-thought-to-be-extinct-is-rediscovered-in-the-wild/?utm_content=buffera8cb7&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

For decades, researchers have feared that the rare New Guinea Highland Wild Dog had gone extinct.

In exciting news, a recent expedition to the remote central mountains of the New Guinea Highlands has finally revealed the existence of a healthy, viable population of the dogs living far from any human settlement.

The group behind the discovery, the New Guinea Highland Wild Dog Foundation (NGHWDF), captured more than 140 photos of at least 15 individual dogs. The population includes males, females and puppies, showing that they are not only surviving, they are thriving. DNA analysis proves them to be the most ancient, primitive canids in existence.

Not only have the elusive dogs been rediscovered, the expedition has helped to shed light on why many believed they had become extinct. It turns out they are incredibly good at hiding, setting up camp in one of the most remote and inhospitable regions of the world and living in isolation safe from human interference.

Scientists now hope that DNA obtained from fecal samples will help them to further understand canid evolution. They have already confirmed that New Guinea highland wild dogs are related to Australian dingos and New Guinea singing dogs, but are yet to discover the details of that relationship.

They hope that new data will provide answers to questions of canid and human co-evolution and migration.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Interesting - kind of looks like a cross between a shiba inu and a coyote.

You never know what's out there...

[OriginalGeek]

2. i just wanted to see a picture of the dog

not take a purity test and sign up for lifelong spam. I hate sites that do that. Even sites I might agree with otherwise.

[jberryhill]

3. Here you go

That's the several time winner of "World's Ugliest Dog" and is said to have a great personality.

[OriginalGeek]

7. LOL!

good personality goes a long way with me.

[panader0]

4. "the most ancient, primitive canids in existence."

Cool.

[samnsara]

5. wow.....

[shenmue]

6. Yay!

[longship]

8. Here's a real pic of them.

[KittyWampus]

10. What kind of dog breed do they remind you of? I don't know much about dogs and couldn't say.

[longship]

11. I have no idea... corgi maybe?

[Drahthaardogs]

12. Dingos

They look like dingos, maybe a little stockier

[KittyWampus]

9. This is why I still come to DU. Find interesting, important stories mixed in with the drama and jazz