11 Mar 2013

Scientists discover new 'natural wonder' in PNG

10:38 am on 11 March 2013

A group of scientists say they have discovered one of the wonders of the natural world in Papua New Guinea.

New species discovered there include a variety of orchid, carnivorous plants, butterflies, frogs and insects.

The scientists spent four weeks surveying the Hindenburg Wall, a 50km stretch of spectacular limestone escarpments in the far west.

They say they could have found 80 new species of plants and animals.

Project coordinator Nathan Whitmore says it could be one of the most bio-diverse spots on the planet.

Among the images captured on hidden cameras is what could be the world's smallest wallaby.

Several species of rats were also collected, one of them larger than a small dog.