The red feline creature from Borneo is likely a new species

A remarkable discovery has been recorded on the island of Borneo, which may indicate the existence of a new species of carnivorous feline. The World Wildlife Fund announced that a camera stationed in Mentarang Kayan National Park captured an image of the creature with dark fur and a long, bushy tail. If confirmed, this discovery would be the first new species discovered in Borneo since 1895. Although scientists are 90% certain, they emphasize that final confirmation requires the capture of a live specimen.

A feline creature captured on camera on the island of Borneo may be a new species of carnivore, the World Wildlife Fund announced Tuesday, December 6.

If confirmed, the animal - which has dark fur and a long, bushy tail - would be the first new species discovered on the island since Borneo was discovered in 1895, the organization said.

- Cameras placed in Mentarang Kayan National Park to photograph animals took two photos of the animal, said Stephan Wulffraat, a Dutch biologist who coordinates the WWF study of the species.

"We asked several experts on the island of Borneo. Some said it looked like a lemur, but most [scientists] were convinced it was a new species of carnivore," Wulffraat said. "Until we capture a live specimen, we can't be 100 percent sure. We're only 90 percent sure right now."

Since 1994, researchers have discovered more than 360 new species in Borneo, mostly insects and plants.

The island, which is divided between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, has very interesting nature, but its forests are threatened by logging due to increasing rubber production and expanding olive palm plantations.