  Within an effective Lagrangian approach, we investigate the reaction
mechanism of $K^- p\to \eta\Lambda$ near threshold. It is found that a new
$D_{03}$ resonance, with mass $M=1668.5\pm 0.5$MeV and width
$\Gamma=1.5\pm0.5$MeV, is needed to interpret the experimental data reported by
the Crystal Ball collaboration. To verify our results, remeasurements on the
differential cross sections and $\Lambda$ polarization in this reaction will be
helpful. Furthermore, we also show that the reaction $p\bar p\to \Lambda\bar
\Lambda \eta$ is a good place to look for this new resonance if it exists.
