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February 7th 2006 at 6:19 pm in The Los Angeles Times reports on a trove of unearthly species that have been uncovered in New Guinea’s ‘Eden’:
The naturalists also obtained the first photographs of the golden-fronted bowerbird, a species previously known only from a few skins collected by local hunters.The bird is so rare that at least a dozen expeditions in the last 82 years have tried and failed to find its home.
The naturalists also discovered the breeding grounds of Berlepsch’s six-wired bird of paradise, an unusual species whose homeland several previous expeditions also had sought in vain to find.
The birds, normally shy and secretive, paraded into camp and performed their mating display between the tents.
It was the first time scientists had ever seen a male of the species.
Pretty amazing — but wouldn’t they be better off if we just leave that whole ecosystem the hell alone? 
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