Indonesia is very rich in biodiversity, and the Land of Papua in particular still keep so many secret flora and fauna that slowly but surely unfold one by one. One of the latest is the discovery of an ancient dog in the highlands that is still alive today.

For the first time in more than half a century, researchers have discovered an ancient dog species that still roam the highlands of Papua. So reportedly the site of New Guinea Highland Wild Dog Foundation (NGHWDF).

Highland Wild Dog (HWD) live, according to GMA News Online via beritagar.id (28/03/2017), was first discovered in 1897 by Charles Walter De Vis. The dog specimen was later discovered in 1956 and 1976. After that there was no one else to find them so the HWD was considered extinct.

However, two photographs of the dog had circulated in 2005 and 2012. The problem, these photos can not be used as scientific evidence of the existence of the animal.

Therefore, NGHWDF, a foundation that specializes in finding and researching dogs living in the highlands of Papua, entering Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, began the search for the animal in 2016 in Papua Province.

The team led by zoologist James K McIntyre then met with researchers from the University of Papua (Unipa) who was doing a similar search. They then worked together and received additional assistance from PT Freeport Indonesia and the Southwest Pacific Research Foundation.

In September 2016, their efforts resulted in the discovery of dog footprints at an altitude between 3,460-4,400 meters above sea level, within Puncak Jaya, Papua.

They then installed a camera in the area and managed to photograph at least 15 different dogs, both male and female, including a female dog with her child between 3-5 months.

While it belongs to the ancient species, the appearance of these dogs is not much different from that commonly preserved by humans today. The tail is shaped like a hook and the upper ear resembles a triangle that stands upright.

"The discovery and confirmation of highland wild dogs for the first time in half a century is not only exciting, but also a wonderful opportunity for science," NGHWDF wrote in the report.

"The 2016 expedition can find, observe, collect documentation and biological samples, and confirm through DNA tests that at least some specimens still live in the highlands of Papua."

DNA test results show that HWD is indeed the oldest dog type available today and, it turns out, has a blood relation with Australian dingo (Canis dingo) and the singing dog Papua New Guinea (Canis hallstromi). Canis hallstromi was also rediscovered in 2012 after disappearing for 23 years.

Quoting Science Alert (27/03/2017), the fossils found indicate that HWD has been living in the land of Papua since 6,000 years ago. They are believed to come with humans who migrate to the area. However, recent evidence suggests they may not migrate with humans.

NGHWDF claims studies of highland dogs -HWD and singing dogs-are essential to know their evolution, the development of dog and human relationships in evolution and migration, and the ecological development of human settlements resulting from the dog's evolutionary studies.

The existence of HWD in Papua, according to them, is indirectly also protected by mining companies that are around it. This is because they are required to maintain the ecosystem around the company.