Actually, that is entirely true; “describe” is a real word in taxonomy with exactly that meaning. If you describe e.g. a species, then you’ve formally introduced it to science.
However, for a casual audience when not expressly talking about taxonomy (where “describe” on its own could be mistaken for the non-taxonomic meaning), e.g. “first scientifically described by X” would arguably be the best phrasing.
France 24 is not a scientific publication - it’s directed at a casual audience to whom describe does not inherently mean describe taxonomifally. The language has to be more precise if its looking to be intellectually honest.
A simple “first described by x” while not entirely true is at least a step closer to intellectual honesty.
That or “first became known to white people” would be even more candid.
Actually, that is entirely true; “describe” is a real word in taxonomy with exactly that meaning. If you describe e.g. a species, then you’ve formally introduced it to science.
However, for a casual audience when not expressly talking about taxonomy (where “describe” on its own could be mistaken for the non-taxonomic meaning), e.g. “first scientifically described by X” would arguably be the best phrasing.
I liked “The animal was discovered by Western science […]”.
France 24 is not a scientific publication - it’s directed at a casual audience to whom describe does not inherently mean describe taxonomifally. The language has to be more precise if its looking to be intellectually honest.