Native to China’s remote regions, this adorable creature is known as the Ili Pika. Rarer than a panda, and arguably cuter, there are less than 1,000 of these furry teddy bear-like mammals living in the Tianshan mountain range. These photos are the first spotting of the Ili Pika in 20 years.
The Ili Pika was first discovered in 1983 but their numbers have dropped by an estimated 70%. These mammals are distant relatives to rabbits, but because they are so rare, scientists know very little about them.
This Ili Pika was spotted for the first time in 20 years
The cute furry guy has been dubbed the ‘magic rabbit’
“I discovered the species, and I watched as it became endangered. If it becomes extinct in front of me, I’ll feel so guilty” – Li Weidong
This is Li Weidong, the man who discovered the Ili Pika
More info: CNN (h/t: dailymail)
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