While most of the recent headlines are talking about climate change and so many endangered species, we finally hear some good news in a while.
A brand new cat species has been discovered on island of Corsica, in Mediterranean Sea. The cat-fox is a little larger than the domestic cat and it recently received scientific recognition as its own distinct species, the Ladbible reported.
According to experts there are round 16 individuals on the island. Therefore, wildlife experts are making some efforts in order to protect the species.
According to the Metro, the cat-fox measure 35inches from head to tail, have very wide ears, short whiskers and highly developed canine teeth. Among the locals, the cute fluffy balls are also know as Ghjattu volpe.
Chief environmental technician of the National Hunting and Wildlife Office Pierre Bendetti said: “We believe that it’s a wild natural species which was known but not scientifically identified because it’s an extremely inconspicuous animal with nocturnal habits.”
“The cat-fox is part of our shepherd mythology. From generation to generation, they told stories of how the forest cats would attack the udders of their ewes and goats,” declared Charles-Antone Cecchini from the National Hunting and Wildlife Office.
Over the last three years, the wildlife experts have captured (and released, of course) 12 out of the 16 felines, in order to examine their DNA.
“By looking at its DNA, we could tell it apart from the European wildcat, Felissilvestrissilvestris. It’s close to the African forest cat, Felissilvestrislybica, but its exact identity is still to be determined,” Bendetti said.
However, there are still doubts regarding this new species.
VIDEO: A cat? A fox? A cat-fox?
In Corsica’s Asco forest, two agents of the National Hunting and Wildlife Office (ONCFS) show @AFP what they think is a new feline species pic.twitter.com/oHjzgmVXIf
— AFP news agency (@AFP) June 14, 2019
Source https://metro.co.uk; http://www.ladbible.com
