The Search for Olinguito: Discovering a New Species
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S big News 4 What in the World 6 different or New 14 the Long Wide Search 20 Meet the Olinguito 34 Author’s Note 37 Be a Science Detective 38 Source Notes 38 Glossary 39 Find Out More 39 Index 40
big News On August 15 2013 reporters from around the world gathered in an auditorium at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC Excitement filled the air Kristofer Helgen was about to announce a rare discovery He and several other scientists had found a new animal called an olinguito oh-ling-GHEE-toe Among the group of mammals it belonged to it was the first new species discovered in thirty-five years Finding the olinguito had required more than ten years of scientific detective work in museums zoos and mountain forests It had all started when Kristofer went to work to solve a little mystery about another mammal an olingo oh-LING-goh But how did this mystery lead to the olinguito No one knew it at the time but the search for the olinguito would be a huge adventure 4
Kristofer Helgen shares a photo of an olinguito in August 2013
What in the World Kristofer Helgen was curious A scientist at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History he is in charge of the museum’s collection of mammals warm-blooded animals with hair whose babies are born alive and nursed on mother’s milk In 2002 scientists were debating questions Olingos live up among tree branches and eat mostly fruit 6
