Sir David's Long-beaked Echidna
CR

Sir David's Long-beaked Echidna

Zaglossus attenboroughi

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaglossus_attenboroughi

Overview

Zaglossus attenboroughi, also known as Attenborough's long-beaked echidna or locally as the payangko, is one of three species from the genus Zaglossus that inhabits the island of New Guinea. It lives in the Cyclops Mountains near the northern coast of the island, which are near the cities of Sentani and Jayapura in the Indonesian province of Papua in Western New Guinea. It is named in honour of naturalist Sir David Attenborough.

Zaglossus attenboroughi faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to mining activities and agricultural expansion in the Cyclops Mountains. Hunting pressure for meat and traditional uses has significantly reduced populations, while the species' extremely limited range makes it vulnerable to any local disturbances. Climate change poses additional risks to its montane forest habitat, potentially forcing populations to higher elevations with reduced suitable area.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits montane tropical forests in the Cyclops Mountains of Papua, Indonesia, typically at elevations between 1,300-1,700 meters. It prefers dense forest understory with rich leaf litter and fallen logs that provide shelter and foraging opportunities for invertebrates.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist montane· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoveryLegislation

Other threatened species in TACHYGLOSSIDAE

Eastern Long-beaked EchidnaVU

Eastern Long-beaked Echidna

Zaglossus bartoni

Declining
Western Long-beaked EchidnaCR

Western Long-beaked Echidna

Zaglossus bruijnii

Declining

Threatened in Indonesia

EN

Speckle-faced Bent-toed Gecko

Cyrtodactylus psarops

Unknown
Acropora hemprichiiEN

Acropora hemprichii

Declining
VU

Bacan Myzomela

Myzomela batjanensis

Declining
VU

Hopea coriacea

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Sir David's Long-beaked Echidna classified as Critically Endangered?
Sir David's Long-beaked Echidna is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Zaglossus attenboroughi faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to mining activities and agricultural expansion in the Cyclops Mountains. Hunting pressure for meat and traditional uses has significantly reduced populations, while the species' extremely limited range makes it vulnerable to any local disturbances. Climate change poses additional risks to its montane forest habitat, potentially forcing populations to higher elevations with reduced suitable area.
Where does Sir David's Long-beaked Echidna live?
Sir David's Long-beaked Echidna occurs in Indonesia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Sir David's Long-beaked Echidna?
The main threats to Sir David's Long-beaked Echidna are 2.1, 5.1, 5.3, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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