Unexpected wildlife comebacks: seven remarkable animal sightings that gave scientists hope in 2025

Nature delivered some extraordinary surprises in 2025, as researchers documented remarkable wildlife sightings that ranged from long-lost species reappearing to first-ever recordings of elusive creatures in their natural habitats. These discoveries, reported by environmental news organization Mongabay, offer both encouraging signs of resilience and new conservation challenges.

Among the most significant breakthroughs was the first-ever recording of a colossal squid in its deep-sea habitat near Antarctica. Until this historic moment, scientists had only studied fragments of these massive invertebrates—the world’s heaviest—found in the stomachs of predators. The footage represents a monumental leap forward in understanding one of Earth’s most mysterious creatures.

Equally exciting was the return of the Eurasian otter to Malaysia after more than a decade of absence. Camera traps in Tangkulap Forest Reserve captured images of the species near a water source, making this location the only place in the country where all four East Asian otter species now coexist. Meanwhile, in Senegal’s Niokolo-Koba National Park, cameras recorded the first elephant sighting in six years—a large bull named Ousmane, believed to be a rare hybrid of critically endangered African forest and savanna elephants.

These sightings highlight both conservation successes and ongoing challenges. While some species are returning to former habitats, their reappearance often signals fragile ecosystems still recovering from human impact. Each discovery underscores the importance of continued wildlife monitoring and habitat protection efforts worldwide.