In a concerning revelation, researchers have disclosed that only four individuals of the Vangunu giant rat (Uromys vika), one of the largest rats on Earth, remain in the wild. This species, native to the tropical forests of Vangunu Island in the Solomon Islands, is facing the threat of imminent extinction. Despite being twice the size of the common black rat, the Vangunu giant rat had remained elusive to researchers until its first specimen was discovered in 2015. Found during a logging operation, it marked the first new rodent species identified in the Solomon Islands in over 80 years. However, the species has since been classified as critically endangered. In a recent study published in Ecology and Evolution, researchers detailed their efforts to locate other members of the Vangunu giant rat population. Placing cameras at varying heights in the Zaira Conservation Resource Management Area, a nearby forest known to be suitable habitat, the team successfully captured images of one male and two female giant rats. Recognizable by their distinctive long tails and short ears, these rats were observed within the forest, signaling their presence. Despite the discovery of four individuals, researchers express deep concern about the survival of the Vangunu giant rat. The Zaira forest, covering 60 square kilometers of old growth trees, represents the best remaining habitat for the species. The researchers emphasize the urgent need for conservation efforts to prevent the extinction of this unique rodent species, highlighting the fragility of its current existence.