Natural habitats need to be protected.  (Image Credit: Trond Larsen / Conservation International)

La Paz, December 17 (RHC)-- In Bolivia, a scientific expedition in the Andes uncovered 20 previously unknown species. Scientists also saw plants and animals they had not seen for decades, some of which were believed to be extinct.  Some of the new discoveries include the Bolivian flag snake and the lilliputian frog.  

The expedition in the Zongo Valley, near the capital La Paz, took place in 2017, but the findings were just released this week. 

Eduardo Forno of Conservation International, which led the effort alongside the municipal government of La Paz, told reporters: “A healthy forest is a forest that is going to have wonderful species like the ones we found in Zongo.  It’s going to have a lot more species than have been registered.  One thousand seven hundred have been registered. What it is going to allow is to make sure that Zongo Valley is healthy.  And that is a reflection of the need to have a healthy environment.”