Scientists marked this West African coral reef as probably dead in the 1960s; underwater drones found it alive more than 50 metres below the sea

After being presumed extinct for sixty years, a remarkable coral reef off West Africa has been rediscovered, thriving with an array of fish and coral species.

This vibrant mesophotic coral ecosystem thrives in low-light environments beneath the ocean's surface.

Researchers speculate that similar hidden reefs could exist along the West African coastline, providing valuable insights into the evolutionary history of the region's marine life and past environmental changes.