An elusive and endangered predator was recently spotted in Chile, delighting conservation officials.
The creature -- known as a Darwin's fox -- was recorded by a camera trap in the Cutipay Wetland Nature Sanctuary, about 500 miles south of Santiago, according to a May 22 news release from the Ministry of Environment.
While reviewing footage from the camera in April, officials noticed three images, dated to Dec. 30, that showed a dark-colored animal trudging through the undergrowth.
After officials consulted with experts, it was confirmed to be a Darwin's fox, described as a one-of-a-kind and notoriously hard to spot inhabitant of the South American nation.
Iconic and elusive species
Distinguished by its dark fur, pointed ears and solitary behavior, the animal has intrigued scientists for generations.
The vulpine creature was first described by Charles Darwin in 1834 on Chile's Chiloé Island. According to his notes, he noticed a fox sitting on rocks near the shore, observing nearby officers.
"I was able, by quietly walking up behind, to knock him on the head with my geological hammer," the famous naturalist wrote, according to The Lancet. The specimen was later displayed in a museum.
But, in the decades that followed, the animal was believed to be a subspecies of the South American gray fox. It wasn't until 1996 -- after biologists studied its DNA -- that Darwin's fox was determined to be its own distinct species, according to The New York Times.
Nowadays, it is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
And, the vast majority of the species' population is believed to live on Chiloé, where Darwin encountered his specimen. The populations on the mainland are significantly smaller and more dispersed.
But, the recent sighting in Cutipay -- a poorly studied region -- expands the species' territory. In fact, the area could play a pivotal role in connecting various populations and facilitating the species' movement, officials said.
Environment Minister Maisa Rojas applauded the discovery, saying it shows the importance of conservation policies.
That said, the recent images of the fox also bring to light new threats that the species could face in the area.
The primary threat is the existence of domestic dogs, which could attack the endangered foxes and potentially transmit diseases. Invasive animals -- such as mink -- as well as deforestation, forest fires and unregulated construction could also negatively impact the species.
With this in mind, Alberto Tacon, a regional environmental official, emphasized the need to protect the forests in Cutipay and the animals that inhabit them.