Using local ecological knowledge to locate the western long-beaked echidna Zaglossus bruijnii on the Vogelkop Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia

Abstract The Critically Endangered western long-beaked echidna Zaglossus bruijnii is believed to be distributed throughout the Vogelkop Peninsula in Indonesian Province of West Papua, but there had formerly been no confirmed sightings species since 1980s. We aimed establish whether survives this area. Fieldwork was carried out during January–April 2018 Tambrauw Regency north and Teluk Bintuni south. involved informal interviews with people, identified through chain referral sampling, who were knowledgeable about local animals plants. Interviewees asked their knowledge if they encountered them locally. Thirteen interviewees familiar we able confirm informant records one individual three Regency. Measurements echidnas corroborated previous descriptions species. described how are often seen forests around villages, especially wet season January–April, when foraging signs easy distinguish from those other animals. These four first They suggest persists on Peninsula, anecdotal information suggests remains common. Nevertheless, detailed systematic surveys required before any assertion status can made confidence.