By Vivek Chaudhary and Victoria Bell For Mailonline
Published: 12:34 BST, 20 June 2019 | Updated: 17:27 BST, 20 June 2019
6 shares
1
View
comments
One of the world’s leading zoologists has revealed that he is on the cusp of unveiling his latest animal discovery, which is a ‘kind of marsupial’.
The find, by Professor Kristofer Helgen, a close friend of David Attenborough will add to the 100 he has already uncovered during expeditions all over the world.
Professor Helgen described the creature as a ‘kind of marsupial’ but that its scientific name will be announced in the coming weeks.
Scroll down for video
One of the world’s leading zoologists has revealed that he is on the verge of unveiling his latest animal discovery to add to the 100 he has already uncovered during expeditions to remote corners of the world. Here, the Olinguito
Professor Helgen said: ‘It is very unique and this is the first time the world will be finding out about it.
'This discovery is another addition to uncovering portions of the tree of life, something that has driven me in my work.’
Currently Professor of Biological Sciences and Deputy Director of Applied Conservation at the University of Adelaide in Australia, Professor Helgen is considered one of the leading authorities on mammals.
He has uncovered 100 previously overlooked species of living mammals, including the Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon of southern China and Myanmar.
He also discovered the Greater Monkey-Faced Bat of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands but said the Olinguito stood out as his 'favourite'.
'It has big eyes is a relative of the racoon and is a very beautiful animal. My work is a bit like being a detective. I follow leads or act on information to find these unknown species,’ he said.
Professor Helgen revealed that his next expedition, due to begin later this year is to a remote archipelago off the coast of Fiji to try and find a rare
