In what could be a major discovery, scientists have discovered a mammal carnivore that they have named “The Olinguito”(Bassaricyon neblina). It stands as the smallest member of the animal family and is 14 inches (35cm) with a tail of 13-17 inches long and weighs 2lbs (900g). This is the first discovery scientists have made in 35 years in the Western Hemisphere. The mammal is a rare find and thanks to a group from the Smithsonian Institution, we have a new mammal living among us.
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According to Dr. Kristofer Helgen, the curator of mammals at the National Museum of Natural History located in Washington D.C, who initially discovered the Olinguito, as he uncovered some bones he told BBC News that:
“It stopped me in my tracks,” he told BBC News. “The skins were a rich red colour and when I looked at the skulls I didn’t recognize the anatomy. It was different to any similar animal I’d seen, and right away I thought it could be a species new to science.”
To save space, there are over 600,000 specimens that are stacked in trays and there were many of the Olinguito that were collected throughout the years, but they were improperly labeled. Thanks to modern technology, the DNA was able to be identified. Dr. Helgen confirmed his discovery through comparing DNA samples with other five known species. What scientists know now is that the Olinguito is a carnivore that many had thought was impossible to believe to be in existence.
To his credibility, this is not the only species that Dr. Helgen has discovered. He has also discovered the world’s biggest bat and the 
world’s smallest bandicoot. However, this discovery is the most significant because this is the first discovery in more than three decades. The last discovery was a Colombian Weasel in America. However, people don’t need to fear this mammal. Although it is a carnivore, it mainly likes to eat fruit. In many situations, the science behind this discovery is complex. As of yet, scientists don’t know how long this animal has been around and it is quite possible that it surfaced in zoos around the years 1967-1976, but were clearly labeled incorrectly.
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Overall, many feel this is a discovery that will change many things in science and taking care of the Olinguito is going to be an interesting task. With the museums on the brink of closing around the world, it is important that more people get interested in what the main focus of studying new species is and how we all can have more of an understanding on it.
