The renowned actor and environmental activist, Leonardo Dicapriocelebrated the rediscovery of a fungus endemic to Chile which was missing for around 40 years, and was even believed to be extinct.
It is about the species Great Pumawhich had only been documented in the 1980s by the Chilean mycologist, Norberto Garrido, according to the Fungi Foundation.
“After being lost to science for 36 yearsthe Great Puma Mushroom has been rediscovered in Chile as part of ‘Rewild Search for Lost Species,'” the actor began in an Instagram post.
DiCaprio explained that “Gran Puma mushrooms are a mysterious species of fungus that lives underground in the Nahuelbuta mountains in Chile. Expedition team members even think that mushrooms may only be visible above ground for a few days a year.”
Although the mushrooms were discovered in May 2023, and subjected to a comparative DNA analysis With that of the fungus discovered 40 years ago, the news was announced by the foundation last Wednesday, May 22, with a documentary dedicated to showing the process of rediscovery in the mountains located between the regions of Biobío and La Araucanía.
