Life is mysterious at times. This was once again proved true when researchers spotted a wild dog species that they thought was extinct.
The Dogs Were Thought to Have Disappeared from the Highlands of New Guinea
But they were later spotted again on the Indonesian side of the island after scientists believed there were no more left on Earth.
In 2012, Something Amazing Happened
An eco-tourism guide took a picture of one of these dogs after not one had been spotted since the 1950s.
A DNA Sample Proved it All
Thanks to a DNA sample, researchers were able to prove that this dog species of New Guinea really had “returned.”
Locals Call Them the Highland Wild Dogs
Others call them the New Guinea Singing Dogs.
The Dogs are Closely Related to Australian Dingoes
They’re also related to the Asian dog species that were believed to have traveled to Oceania with humans over 3,500 years ago.
And They’re Called Singing Dogs for a Reason
These dingo-like canines have a unique, sing-song-y like howl that sets them apart from other species.
The Dogs Share Most of Their DNA with Their Captive Singing Relatives
About 72 percent of their genes, to be exact.
But Since Then, They’ve Likely Been Interbred
Which makes sense for the other 28 percent of their genes.
Their Re-Discovery Helps Researchers Understand Dog Domestication
The New Guinea singing dogs, after all, have a lot of history and a lengthy line of ancestors.
It’s simply amazing how far this species has come and how well it has adapted over the centuries!
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:
