30 newly discovered orchids in Papua New Guinea

After more than eight years of exploring the island nation of Papua New Guinea (PNG) near Indonesia, scientists from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have discovered 30 new orchids that have never been known to science, with many fancy and brilliant shapes.

This finding once again demonstrates the diversity of plants on PNG island, which is considered the ' spread ' of the world. Of the approximately 25,000 orchids now globally, more than 3,000 varieties are native to PNG and no country in the world is rich in wild orchids like PNG.

Lake Kutubu in the Kikori region - where WWF discovered new orchids - has been recognized by international scientists as important for biodiversity. In addition to orchids and other plants, the forests in PNG are also the common roof of many rare and precious animals such as kangaroos, paradise birds, and ostrich heads.

Two of the 30 new orchid varieties discovered (from left to right): white orchids with 6-pointed stars;spread the birds with many colors: red, yellow, white and purple lotus.A corner of Lake Kutubu.

' About 70 wild orchid species in neighboring Indonesia have become extinct due to illegal logging, so the simultaneous discovery of many new orchids is particularly important ', WWF ecologist Olo Gebia comment. He said that there is a sad fact that many plants - including those that may contain medicinal properties - may have been extinct before they were discovered by humans. WWF called for an urgent and long-term conservation strategy for PNG's Kikori region. Because this place along with Papua province and Borneo island of Indonesia has long been regarded as a fertile land giving birth to many new types of plants and animals for humanity.

VQ