Nairobi, Kenya (CNN) -- A group of international and Kenyan scientists believe they may have discovered a new mammal species in a Kenyan forest near the Somali border.
The scientists were using camera traps to photograph elusive elephant shrews in the Boni-Dodori forest. They were thrilled to photograph what they believe is an entirely new species of giant sengi, or elephant shrew.
"This is an important discovery," said biologist Dr. Rajan Amin of the Zoological Society of London. "The whole team was very excited to capture pictures of this mammal".
There are 17 known species of elephant shrew, all native to Africa. They got their name because of their bizarre flexible nose which resembles an elephant's trunk, and because of their superficial resemblance to true shrews.
The Zoological Society of London and Kenya Wildlife Service captured the images. Researchers hope DNA samples will definitely prove whether it is a distinct species. The discovery could help in understanding this coastal forest region, which has been difficult to study at times because of its proximity to Somalia.
CNN
