The silver-backed chevrotain, also called the Chinese water deer or Vampire deer, was last recorded more than 25 years ago and is the first mammal rediscovered on Global Wildlife Conservation’s list of top 25 most wanted lost species in the Search for Lost Species.

The rediscovery in southern Vietnam was published on November 11, in the scientific journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.

“We had no idea what to expect, so I was surprised and overjoyed when we checked the camera traps and saw photographs of a chevrotain with silver flanks,” said An Nguyen, associate conservation scientist for GWC and expedition team leader.

Read more: nature knows

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