New Species Found And Already Endangered

A new mongoose-like mammal living in and near a lake in Madagascar has been identified as a new species.
Apparently it had been observed in 2004, but never officially documented. It is the first newly discovered carnivorous mammal in Madagascar in twenty-four years. Not much is known about the aquatic animal, other than it resembles a mongoose, and lives in marsh land at Lac Alaotra, which is Madagascar’s largest lake.
It’s an ugly sucker, but still a new species! Yay!
The sad part of the discovery is since there is such a lack of members of the species, it is already being placed on the endangered species list. Along with the creature’s small population, it is endangered due to agricultural expansion, pollution, burning of land, and invasive species.
This is such a bittersweet discovery. On one hand, while new animals are still being found, at the same time, the expansion of the human race is hurting them.
We have to find a balance with the planet, so we can sustain what we have before it is all gone! What would we do if the Earth died?
[Image via Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust]