Amazon weasel | Neogale africana | Comadreja amazónica

Opinion:

An Amazon weasel, one of the rarest mammals in the world, filmed in Bolivia

La comadreja amazónica que fue divisada por caficultores bolivianos. Captura de video
The Amazon weasel spotted by Bolivian coffee growers. Video screenshot

A group of Bolivian coffee growers filmed one of the world’s rarest mammals, an Amazon weasel (Neogale africana), according to an article published in the scientific journal Check List, as cited by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which supports coffee production projects in Bolivia.

This specimen is one of the most enigmatic in the Amazon basin and, according to specialized media, it has only been recorded 24 times in various locations in South America.

Before this discovery, there were no recordings of this animal. Additionally, this is the first record of the species in Bolivia and represents the southernmost location on the continent where it has been found so far, according to a report by El Espectador.

Historically, sightings of the Amazon weasel had been concentrated in Brazil, with 16 reports, followed by Peru with five and Ecuador with two. The new record in Bolivia is significant not only because it is the first in the country but also because of the altitude at which the video was captured: 1,400 meters above sea level, the highest altitude known for the species.

VIDEO

In a short video of almost a minute, the impressive specimen can be seen emerging from the ground, looking around, sliding, and then retreating back into hiding.

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