GENEVA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Thirty new species of orchid previously unknown to the world have been discovered by WWF scientists in Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Switzerland-based conservation group said on Monday.

The exciting new discoveries are located at the Kikori region surrounding Lake Kutubu, internationally recognized for its biological importance, the World Wildlife Fund said.

"Around 70 species of orchid that used to exist in the forests of neighboring Indonesia have become extinct because of illegal logging," said WWF forest ecologist Olo Gebia. "So these recent discoveries are especially good news."

The findings mark the culmination of a long-term WWF study of the species within the Kikori region.

The expeditions, which took place between 1998 and 2006, have added significantly to the known floral diversity found on the island of New Guinea. PNG already has more recorded orchid species than any other country in the world.

"The island of New Guinea is an incredible goldmine of orchids," said botanist Wayne Harris, one of the world's leading authorities on orchids.

"There are over 3,000 known species found here with countless varieties undoubtedly yet to be discovered," he added.

WWF, together with the Kutubu Joint Venture Partnership, is working toward the long-term conservation of the Kikori region and the amazing diversity of plants and animals that it supports.

The region is one of the last areas in PNG that includes such a variety of different forest habitats.

Crucially, along with orchid and other plant-life, these remarkable forests are home to some of PNG's most incredible wildlife such as birds of paradise, giant cassowaries, and the enigmatic tree kangaroo.

"The discovery of such a large number of new orchid species is incredibly exciting," Gebia said.

"The sad reality is that many of these plants, including those which may contain cures to some of the world's most deadly diseases, may become extinct before they have even been discovered-- this gives even greater urgency to ensuring the long-term conservation of the remarkable Kikori region," he said. Enditem