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| credit: Roberto Quispe |
The ruins of Machu Picchu perched on a mountain top above a raging river easily invoke a sense of mystery and awe. The stones of the settlement fitted with care in such a remote location reflect a people under
duress, perhaps seeking sanctuary from a disastrous fate left far below. There, another mammalian species sought refuge. Previously known only from skulls found in Inca pottery by Hiram Bingham in 1912, the arboreal chinchilla rat
(Cuscomys oblativa) was thought to have gone extinct before
conquistador Francisco Piszarro arrived in Peru. But like Lazarus, the chinchilla
rat came back to life when a park ranger found one living near the famous archaeological site in 2009. The rediscovery by Roberto Quispe was confirmed by scientists who searched the montane forests covering steep slopes for another living specimen in 2012. They were successful, although they believe the chinchilla rat is endangered due to a small population and habitat deforestation. Fortunately, the cat-sized rodent seems to be occupying the protected areas of Machu Picchu National Park and the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.