法国的一个岛上发现了一种新的“狐猫”物种

科学家们坚信他们在法国的一个岛上发现了一种新的“狐猫”物种

Wildlife researchers have located 16 of the creatures which are said to resemble a domestic cat, while also having stripes on the front legs, dark back legs and a silky, thick coat, AFP reports. Its tail is long with rings and a black tip, which is how it earned the name "cat fox".

据法新社报道，野生动物研究人员已经发现了16只这种动物，据说它们长得像家猫，前腿上有条纹，后腿上有深色的条纹，还有一层丝质的厚毛。它的尾巴很长，有环，末端是黑色的，因此得名“狐猫”。

The discovery was made by the National Hunting and Wildlife Office in France.

这一发现是由法国国家狩猎和野生动物办公室做出的。

Since 2016, researchers have been able to capture 12 of the felines so they can be examined, AFP reports. They are then released back into the habitat in northern Corsica.

据法新社报道，自2016年以来，研究人员已经捕获了12只狐猫，以便对它们进行检查，然后再把它们放回科西嘉岛北部的栖息地。

The research commenced in 2012.

这项研究始于2012年。

"By looking at its DNA, we could tell it apart from the European wildcat," said wildlife office chief environmental technician Pierre Benedetti.

野生动物办公室首席环境技术员皮埃尔·贝内代蒂说：“通过观察它的DNA，我们可以把它与欧洲野猫区分开来。”

"We believe that it's a wild natural species which was known, but not specifically identified because it's an extremely inconspicuous animal with nocturnal habitats.

“我们认为这是一种已知的野生自然物种，但由于它是一种极不显眼的具有夜间栖息地的动物，因此还没有明确的确定。

"It's a wonderful discovery," he told AFP.

他向记者表示：“这是一个奇妙的发现。”