Researchers to trap mysterious cat-fox animal

GENEVA, Switzerland (Reuters) -- Environmental researchers are preparing to capture what they call a new, mysterious species of carnivore on Borneo, the first such discovery on the wildlife-rich Indonesian island in over a century.

Swiss-based environmental group WWF said on Monday its researchers photographed the strange animal, which looks like a cross between a cat and a fox, in the dense, central mountainous rainforests of Borneo.

"This could be the first time in more than a century that a new carnivore has been discovered on the island," said the WWF in a statement.

The mammal, slightly larger than a cat with red fur and a long tail, was photographed twice by a camera trap at night.

Locals and wildlife experts who viewed photographs of the animal, which has very small ears and large hind legs, said they had never seen such a creature before and were convinced that it was a new species, WWF said.

Researchers hope to confirm the discovery by setting cage traps to catch a live specimen, but warn that Indonesian government plans to clear the rainforest to create the world's largest palm oil plantation may interfere with plans, WWF said.

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http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/12/06/indonesia.new.species.reut/index.html

but there are some differences from the drawing and the photo of the Fossa. The fossa's coloring, ear shape and snout shape are slightly different. The Borneo creature is described as being red. Fossas are described as brown not red. The ears of the Borneo creature are shown as pointed while the fossa's ears are rounded. Finally, the snout of the fossa doesn't look as pointed as the drawing of the Borneo creature. Still, it could be another mongoose relative.

making project? I doubt it. Not in this world, today.
The bottom line rules all....sadly.

someone posted it this morning




http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4501152.stm

original du link

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=5526868