Corsica's 'cat-fox' may be a new species

ASCO, France - In the forest undergrowth of northern Corsica, two wildlife rangers open a cage to reveal a striped, tawny-coated animal, one of 16 felines known as "cat-foxes" on the island thought to be a new species.

"We believe that it's a wild natural species which was known but not scientifically identified because it's an extremely inconspicuous animal with nocturnal habits," said Pierre Benedetti, chief environmental technician of France's National Hunting and Wildlife Office.

"It's a wonderful discovery," he said, holding the feline - called "ghjattu volpe" in Corsican - found in Asco Forest on the French Mediterranean island.