Cute Oncilla Cub With Rare Condition Rescued From Crops

Story ByAna LacasaSub EditorJoseph GolderAgencyCentral European News 

Video Credit: CEN/@Corantioquia

This tiny oncilla cub with a rare genetic condition that makes its fur dark has been found amid the crops in a coffee field.

The cute oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus) cub was found in a coffee field in the central north-western Colombian department of Antioquia and as the plants had been cropped it was impossible to find its mother.

The cub was rescued and is receiving care from the vets from the Corantioquia organisation and CES University.

Picture Credit: CEN/@Corantioquia

In the images, the tiny cub, with its distinctive dark fur, as opposed to the normal leopard-like spots of the oncilla can be seen being fed with a pipette.

The rescuers are working to keep the animal strong and teach it how to hunt so it can be released back into its natural habitat.

According to the environmental authorities, it is common for female oncillas to go out hunting and leave their offspring alone in their dens.

The rescuers are working to ensure the animal retains a fear of humans so it can be released back into the wild.

The oncilla is listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List because the population is threatened by deforestation and conversion of habitat into agricultural land.

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