The first images in 30 years of a mouse-deer in the wild have been published.
It's unclear how many of them in the world exist. In fact scientists had assumed the species, known as the Silver-backed Chevrotain, was extinct.
The species, which has big fangs, tall legs and a round body, was photographed in Vietnam more than 2000 times during a 10-month period, according to the Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC).
Photos of the rare species were released on Monday. A team is now working to monitor the species and determine its population.
"This might represent the last population or one of a handful of populations, in which case we need to take action immediately to put conservation measures in place to ensure its survival," said Dr Andrew Tilker of the GWC.
"Vietnam may be one of the toughest places to work on mammal conservation, so it's nice to have a hopeful story from Vietnam and to be part of something positive that can help ensure that this species is never lost again, including as the result of extinction," Dr Tilker said.
Newshub.
