Friday, Mar 29 2024
All Cities
Choose Your City
'In the winter he skated and Nadya thought him rather too showy with his style of strutting like a chicken'
0

Rescuing cobalt-eyed baby of the world’s fluffiest cat

By 0 and 0 and 0
31 August 2018

0

The wildcat was born inside an abandoned train carriage left in the middle of the steppe, which her mother made home. Picture: Vadim Kirilyuk

Dasha the baby Pallas’s cat was less than a month old when she was found meowing in the grass of Daursky Biosphere reserve in Trans-Baikal region. 

These wild animals are the fluffiest but also the most shy - and aggressive  -  small cats on the planet. 

Cute, yes but experts insist you should not try to domesticate them, because you will fail.

With Dasha there is another problem. 

The wildcat was born inside an abandoned train carriage left in the middle of the steppe, which her mother made home.

Workers started to move the carriage around, not realising there was a family of cats, which forced the mother to abandon it.

Scientists challenge nature by adopting an endangered orphan kitten, aiming to release her into the wild. 


Scientists challenge nature by adopting an endangered orphan kitten, aiming to release her into the wild. 
Scientists challenge nature by adopting an endangered orphan kitten, aiming to release her into the wild. Pictures: Vadim Kirilyuk


‘Dasha spent several lonely days inside the carriage. Eventually she managed to climb out and gave a shout’, said scientist Vadim Kirilyuk, the reserve’s director. 

‘This is how we realised we had a pet on our hands, which had to be rescued. 

‘One of the biggest tasks was to figure out how to feed the hungry almond-shaped blue eyed fluff ball. 

‘Experienced colleagues from Moscow Zoo suggested we used a syringe for both food and drinks. 

‘We had to force her to drink, so that she didn’t die from dehydration. 

‘She was tiny and worryingly weak.’ 

Scientists challenge nature by adopting an endangered orphan kitten, aiming to release her into the wild. 


Scientists challenge nature by adopting an endangered orphan kitten, aiming to release her into the wild. 


Scientists challenge nature by adopting an endangered orphan kitten, aiming to release her into the wild. 
The Pallas’s cat, small, fluffy and very discreet has been classified as Near Threatened on the Red List of Vanishing Species due to prey base decline and hunting. Pictures: Vadim Kirilyuk


Scientists had to play the role of Dasha’s mother, massaging her stomach after each meal, and keeping a hand on the kitten’s back to help her fall asleep in a den made out of a cardboard and an old fur hat. 

Their efforts paid off and Dasha grew into a curios and healthy kitten. 

‘Her eye colour changed from blue to yellow just before she was two months old. 

'In the middle of June she went outside for the first time, and immediately ran back inside, to her humans, because she got too scared’, said Vadim Kirilyuk, the reserve’s director. 

‘She was about 45-50 days old, which is exactly when Pallas’s cat mother would have taken her kittens  out. 

‘However, hard it was for us to copy a wild animal, we had to teach Dasha to get used to wild life.

‘Without such lessons she would not have a chance to learn how to live independently later.’ 

Scientists challenge nature by adopting an endangered orphan kitten, aiming to release her into the wild. 


Scientists challenge nature by adopting an endangered orphan kitten, aiming to release her into the wild. 


Scientists challenge nature by adopting an endangered orphan kitten, aiming to release her into the wild. 


Scientists challenge nature by adopting an endangered orphan kitten, aiming to release her into the wild. 


Scientists challenge nature by adopting an endangered orphan kitten, aiming to release her into the wild. 
Dasha pictured happy in her new home.  Pictures: Vadim Kirilyuk


The scientific team’s ambition is to make sure that Dasha can be let back into the wild despite starting her life with humans, which can be a very tricky task given she never had a ‘proper’ wild training.

Vadim, who has been documenting Dasha’s progress from day one, said: ‘After three months of constant care and worries the day has come to say that young female Pallas’s cat Dasha will be free, but still supervised. 

‘She is not ready to live on her own yet.’

The Pallas’s cat, small, fluffy and very discreet has been classified as Near Threatened on the Red List of Vanishing Species due to prey base decline and hunting. 

In Russia, the secretive and poorly-researched animal lives in Trans-Baikal region, along with the republics of Buryatia and Tyva, and the Altai mountains. 

Dauria Nature reserve reported growth in number of cats of their territory to over 100 in the last two years.

Scientists challenge nature by adopting an endangered orphan kitten, aiming to release her into the wild. 
Reserve's director Vadim Kirilyuk pictured with amother Pallas's kitten (not Dasha)


Overall in there are more than 10,000 in Trans-Baikal region, it is estimated. 

But there is only one like Dasha - raised by humans. The cats shun humans but also other Pallas’s cats.

Short-clawed and flat-faced  they live in caves, crevices or abandoned burrows, their fur acting as camouflage on grey rocks. They live alone usually high in arid and mountainous areas. 

Their scientific name Otocolobus manul means ‘ugly-eared’.

Despite this we’re wishing Dasha very best luck as she heads back to the wild. 

If we hear more about her progress, we’ll keep you informed. 

Dasha the Palla's kitten, all pictures by Vadim Kirilyuk

Scientists challenge nature by adopting an endangered orphan kitten, aiming to release her into the wild. 


Scientists challenge nature by adopting an endangered orphan kitten, aiming to release her into the wild. 


Scientists challenge nature by adopting an endangered orphan kitten, aiming to release her into the wild. 


Scientists challenge nature by adopting an endangered orphan kitten, aiming to release her into the wild. 


Scientists challenge nature by adopting an endangered orphan kitten, aiming to release her into the wild. 

Comments (23)

What a beautiful little creature. I am so thankful that you were able to rescue her and nurture her so she would survive. I do worry about releasing rescued wild animals, as I am fearful that they may not survive. Wouldn't it be better to house her in a zoo than to release her to the wild and risk having her attacked by other animals? No matter what you decide, thank you for giving her the loving care you did.
Laura
Laura Hastings-Brownstein, Tucson, Arizona, United States
28/10/2020 08:44
7
1
Thank you in all your efforts to help this specie. Beautiful and vicious creatures. Thank You.
Laura-michigan, Usa
09/02/2020 08:57
8
0
What a beautiful kitten/cat.... I’ve never seen one before... they look cute, but shouldn’t normally be handled. I’m so glad you helped her survive, hopefully she will go on to have lots of baby kittens herself....
Debbie Meredith, United Kingdom
07/02/2020 01:46
8
1
Have only just come across these beauties the past few days! Thank you so for hearing her hungry, lonely cries in the beginning. Being a "crazy cat lady", the Pallas breed are just that many more adorable faces, and ears, too love. Again, thank you.
Sandy, Tennessee USA
03/01/2020 05:09
7
0
It is certainly comforting to see that this kitten was rescued from probable starvation by very kind and caring people, maybe scientists? Now she must learn to live and survive with her own hunting skills in her natural habitat and maybe breed when she is old enough to guarantee this species a chance to survive the problems you mention. I suppose a radio collar will be the best way to monitor her progress. Good luck and heartfelt thanks for your good work and for sharing her story with us - showing the many difficulties wild animals are challenged with in order to survive and prosper.
Pamela Cooper Birch, Spain
14/11/2019 02:39
6
0
GOD BLESS YOU FOR HELPING THIS SWEET BEAUTIFUL BABY. MAY HE GUIDE IN MAKING DECISIONS FOR HER CONTINUED HEALTH & SAFETY.
Linda Williams, United States
09/11/2019 10:03
9
0
Just now viewing this story almost a year later--What a beautiful little Pallas' Cat kitten,people in Russia,Mongolia,surrounding regions so very fortunate to have these and other emblematic species in your countries. Years ago I collected a Lomonosov figurine of a Russian wildcat believing the artist was inspired by the living Russian wildcat/Manual. I have supported Snow Leopard Trusts work with snow leopard and Pallas' Cats as well . You have a very beautiful,courageous heart and mind to be so dedicated to helping these animals survive.I hope one day to travel to these regions,and live amongst the animals and people of these landscapes--my 'bucket list'. Thank you for all that you do and all the best to all of you.Sincerely,julianna
Julianna Barksdale, United States
20/08/2019 04:11
9
0
Don't put her into the wild! She is used to humans - just keep her, and keep her safe - will be much better for her. She is not used to the wild. It's much better to keep her and make sure she's safe and healthy.
Marina, USA
21/07/2019 15:38
12
3
Alfredo from London, what a hateful thing to say. Usually, the way people treat animals, is the way they treat humans. Dasha is a beautiful cat. Praying she has a long life. Thanks for rescuing and taking such good care of her.
Michele , Oxford, Alabama USA
04/10/2018 07:59
12
1
I'be seen lots of videos of the manul, Pallas cat. They are beautiful and fierce little animals. Russia is so lucky to have then as native animals. It looks like, too, that the Russian Federation is taking active measures to preserve and protect them. Very cool.
Paul Cleland, NY USA
09/09/2018 00:37
15
0
Adorable ! Thank you for taking care of these wild animals, helping them survive. Sadly, humanity in general is not very appreciative of Nature's creatures
Günther Rückl, Munich, Germany
07/09/2018 18:34
17
0
The first time i saw a Pallas Cat at sacramento zoo many years ago, like 50 years i fell in love with this cat...It warms my heart to know you are loving and caring so much about this beautiful kitten....thank you and God bless you for doing this.....you are lucky to have it living there and seeing such a beautiful creature....Dona Jones Auburn Calif. USA
Dona Jones, Auburn california , USA
07/09/2018 13:41
14
0
keep her! don't put her back in the wild
Irene Satterfield, Missouri, USA
07/09/2018 08:32
12
6
Good luck little Dasha! Please keep posting updates and thank you for your kindness.
Asha, Edinburgh, Scotland
06/09/2018 23:47
15
0
Please follow with more of this great story and great photos by Vadim. Thank you for this article of sheer delight!
Gloria Johnson, USA
06/09/2018 22:56
11
1
12

Add your comment

We welcome a healthy debate, but do not accept offensive or abusive comments. Please also read 'Siberian Times' Privacy Policy

Name

Town/Country

Add your comments

The views expressed in the comments above are those of our readers. 'Siberian Times' reserves the right to pre-moderate some comments.

Control code*

Type the code

* obligatory


News

Business

The Bank of Russia official exchange rates of foreign currencies
EUR99.71USD92.26GBP116.52Other...