1 / 11World Animal Welfare Day, observed every year on October 4, aims to highlight the importance of enhancing the well-being of animals worldwide. The theme for World Animal Welfare Day 2023 is ‘Great or small, love them all’. The theme emphasises the need for animal conservation and to promote their welfare globally. (Image: Shutterstock)
2 / 11The day was established by Heinrich Zimmerman, a German cynologist. The first World Animal Day was observed on March 24, 1925, in Berlin. The inaugural event took place at the Sports Palace in Berlin, drawing a crowd of over 5,000. Subsequently, the day was shifted to October 4 to align with the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology. On this World Animal Welfare Day, let’s rejoice in the rediscovery of some of the most elusive and thought-to-be-extinct species.
3 / 11Australian Night Parrot | Believed to be extinct since 1912, Australian Night Parrots were rediscovered in 2013 by naturalist John Young. These small, nocturnal birds, with yellowish-green, dark brown, black, and yellow foliage, had gone missing due to factors like predators and climate change. Despite some scepticism, live sightings renewed hope for their conservation. (Image: Wikimedia)
4 / 11Coelacanth | Believed to be extinct with dinosaurs 65 million years ago, Coelacanths surprised scientists in 1938 when one was caught near South Africa. Another discovery occurred in 1998 off the coast of Indonesia. These fish species, weighing around 200 pounds and measuring over six feet long, astounded the scientific community, shedding light on ancient marine life. (Image: Shutterstock)
5 / 11New Guinea Highland Wild Dog | Rediscovered in 2017 in Indonesia's Sudirman Mountains, these rare and ancient canines, distant relatives of Australian dingoes, numbered around 15. (Image: Shutterstock)
6 / 11Mallorcan Midwife Toad | Initially presumed extinct, these small toads were rediscovered in the 1970s in Mallorca. The introduction of non-native species, like the viperine snake, limited their habitat to small streams in limestone mountaintops, showcasing the challenges faced by re-emerging species. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
7 / 11The Terror Skink | Spotted in 2003 off the coast of New Caledonia, this meat-eating lizard earned its name due to its sharp, curved teeth. Confirmed to exist on similar small islands in the South Pacific, it is known as a top predator. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
8 / 11Cuban Solenodon | Once declared extinct in 1970, Cuban Solenodons were rediscovered in 1974. These ancient insectivores, surviving since the dinosaur era, are now listed as endangered species, emphasising the importance of their conservation. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
9 / 11Black-naped Pheasant-pigeon | After 140 years, this reclusive bird native to Papua New Guinea's Fergusson Island was rediscovered in 2022. Indigenous and US researchers, after hearing rumours from locals, confirmed the existence of this ground-dwelling bird, marking a significant rediscovery. (Image: Shutterstock)
10 / 11Golden Shieldtail | Rediscovered in Kerala in 2022 after 142 years, this rare snake, known for its olive-yellow iridescent colouration and distinct markings, was first discovered in 1880. Its sighting highlighted the region's rich biodiversity and the importance of ongoing research and conservation efforts. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
11 / 11Bermuda Petrel | Believed extinct since 1620, these birds made a surprising comeback when 10 nesting pairs were found in Bermuda's remote Castle Harbour islets. With a current population of around 250, their resurgence, supported by breeding programmes, signifies a triumph in conservation efforts. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
