Researchers report that a coral reef off West Africa, previously marked as dead in the 1960s, is actually alive and supporting marine life. Multiple outlets describe the finding as a rediscovery after roughly six decades, based on underwater drone observations. The reef is described as a mesophotic ecosystem, meaning it grows at depths where light is limited, yet it still hosts coral and fish. One report states that the reef contains several fish species—about eight types so far—along with coral cover sufficient to indicate an active ecosystem rather than a dead substrate. Researchers say the discovery points to the possibility that similar “hidden” reefs may exist along parts of the West African coastline, potentially larger than what was previously documented. The teams involved also frame the find as useful for understanding the evolutionary history of regional marine organisms and interpreting past environmental changes that may have led to the reef being presumed extinct.