NEWSLINK: Rare ‘clumsy’ cat captured on camera for first time at national park

By Anna Liesowska

23 December 2014

With dumpy little legs, a dense body and a penchant for hiding from trouble, the Manul has proved elusive to nature lovers worldwide.

Caught on camera a handful of times anywhere in the world, including in Pakistan, Iran and Nepal. PIcture: Saylyugem National Park

Stunning images of an extremely rare and secretive cat have been taken for the first time in Siberia by staff at a new national park. The Manul, which looks similar to an overgrown tabby cat but is threatened with extinction, was spotted lurking beneath a rock in the snowy Altai Mountains.

With dumpy little legs and a big dense body it is considered the clumsiest member of the feline family because it often prefers not to run away from danger but simply hide. Also referred to as a Pallas Cat, because of this elusive nature the photographers were extremely fortunate to snap pictures within the Saylyugem National park.

Indeed, they have only ever been caught on camera a handful of times anywhere in the world, including in Pakistan, Iran and Nepal. Now park directors are hoping the new images will inspire animal lovers to travel to the Siberian region and see them living in the wild.

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