9 Dec 2004

Unknown mammal spotted in Indonesia's Papua province

3:01 pm on 9 December 2004

Australian zoologists have reportedly discovered a new mammal in the Indonesian province of Papua - a marsupial, which looks like a panda.

A Sydney zoologist, Timothy Flannery, told Indonesia's Antara news agency the creature was found in the remote and mountainous Jayawijaya region, near a settlement of Moni tribespeople.

The animal has a pouch like a kangaroo but the physical characteristics of a panda.

Adults could weigh up to 15 kilograms and measured up to 1.2 meters long.

He says the creatures are not skilled tree climbers.