Lost Rainforest on Mount Mabu

Google Earth was used by botanists at Kew to survey a few notable regions in Africa. On Mozambique's Mount Mabu, they found green patches that turned out to be the largest, unrecorded rainforest in southern Africa.

Explorers and scientists had not been able to survey the region in the past due to the Mozambique civil war and the challenging terrain. It is also thought that the species there may have developed independently, uninfluenced by other known creatures, over a long period of time. As soon as possible, scientists made travel plans and investigated the area.

The locals had always been aware of Mount Mabu, but scientists had never investigated it. In light of Mozambique's civil war, which ravaged much of the nation's natural environment and terrorized its citizens from 1977 to 1992, the discovery was also noteworthy. Seven new populations of globally endangered bird species, including the Thyolo alethe, whose other populations are all threatened by logging and deforestation, Swynnerton's robins, and Namuli apalis, are among the 126 species of birds that have been identified. These species include the Namuli apalis and the Swynnerton's robin.

• Where: Mount Mabu, Mozambique
• Year of Discovery: 2005