New Species Found in Borneo

[JTWood]

Researchers to trap mysterious cat-fox animal

Tuesday, December 6, 2005; Posted: 3:41 p.m. EST (20:41 GMT)

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.


Pictures of the animal were first taken by WWF researchers in 2003.

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.

The proposed plantation scheme, funded by the China Development Bank, is expected to cover an area of 1.8 million hectares, equivalent to about half the size of The Netherlands, said the WWF, formerly known as the World Wide Fund for Nature.

The potential new species of carnivore in Borneo would be the first since the discovery of the Borneo ferret-badger in 1895, the WWF said.

Pictures of the animal were first taken by WWF researchers in 2003, the photos kept unpublished by the WWF as research continued. The WWF decided to make public the photos with the release of a book about Borneo, to be published on Tuesday.

Copyright 2005 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[luckygehrig]

That thing is freaky looking. And if it eats meat, that just adds to the freak factor. Pretty cool though that they're still finding new species. The release of the photos seems like it might be more related to the fighting against that oil plant than for the book though. Politics at it's finest.

[wrveres]

That thing is freaky looking. And if it eats meat, that just adds to the freak factor. Pretty cool though that they're still finding new species. The release of the photos seems like it might be more related to the fighting against that oil plant than for the book though. Politics at it's finest.

exactly ...

they took the picture almost three years ago, and now hey are thinking about trapping it? what have they been doing for the last three years?

[wrveres]

I bet he was the same WWF researcher that discovered
the infamous "Thatsnotmybelly" Carnivore.
Only to find out after repeated trips to the doctor for severe cat scratches,
it was just spray paint.

[prodpaul]

I bet he was the same WWF researcher that discovered
the infamous "Thatsnotmybelly" Carnivore.
Only to find out after repeated trips to the doctor for severe cat scratches,
it was just spray paint.

[Minor League Skilz]

Now that is funny. All cats should be painted.

[curious_george_43545]

That's kinda freaky lookin'

[Madison]

Another new animal? Nice.

Spray painted cats are funny.


Is it just me, or did everyone keep thinking of wrestling while reading that article? (WWF=World Wrestling Federation and I don't care what the World Wildlife Fund has to say , the WWF is wrestling. World Wildlife Fund just wanted hits on it's website, the frickin' idiots ).

[Red Stripe]

Another new animal? Nice.

Spray painted cats are funny.


Is it just me, or did everyone keep thinking of wrestling while reading that article? (WWF=World Wrestling Federation and I don't care what the World Wildlife Fund has to say , the WWF is wrestling. World Wildlife Fund just wanted hits on it's website, the frickin' idiots ).

I have a feeling the World Wildlife Fund was created before the World Wrestling Federation.

The WWF(wrestling) was created in the 80's right?

[JTWood]

Another new animal? Nice.

Spray painted cats are funny.


Is it just me, or did everyone keep thinking of wrestling while reading that article? (WWF=World Wrestling Federation and I don't care what the World Wildlife Fund has to say , the WWF is wrestling. World Wildlife Fund just wanted hits on it's website, the frickin' idiots ).

I have a feeling the World Wildlife Fund was created before the World Wrestling Federation.

The WWF(wrestling) was created in the 80's right?

The World Wildlife Fund was indeed created long before the WWE. That's how they were able to win the court battle. Truth be told, though, the Fund waited until after wrestling had built up the power of the acronym before striking. I think the court should have sided with wrestling out of some sort of advert-oriented squaters logic like with land. You know what I'm talking about, right? If you live on, or do all of the work for, a tract of land for 10 years uncontested, in some jurisdictions, you are awarded ownership of that land.