<i>Bassaricyon neblina</i> (3 of 3) (IMAGE)

Smithsonian

<i>Bassaricyon neblina</i> (3 of 3)

Caption

The olinguito (Bassaricyon neblina) came close to being discovered several times during the past century and was even exhibited in zoos. For example, this female olinguito lived in various zoos in the US decades ago. The problem was a case of mistaken identity, which was solved with a decade of detective work by Smithsonian scientist Kristofer Helgen and his team, resulting in the description of a new species.

Credit

I. Poglayen-Neuwall

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