Workers at a German animal shelter got an unpleasant surprise when they found out a seemingly abandoned kitten was actually a European wildcat, a small wildcat species native to continental Europe.
The tiny creature, which was mistaken for an abandoned kitten, was found on the road by a good Samaritan, who took it home. However, the good Samaritan, after realizing the kitty was feisty and refused to eat, had to bring it to the Tierheim Bergheim animal shelter, according to The Dodo.
The shelter, located in the town of Bergheim, the capital of The Rhein-Erft-Kreis district, immediately identified the seemingly abandoned kitty as a European wildcat. This species of wildcat is the size of a large housecat and is a protected species native to the area where it was found.
Taking to its Facebook page, the shelter posted a video of the adorable feline suddenly hissing. The footage's caption explains that the cat needed to be moved to Retscheider Hof, a wildlife station in the town of Bad Honnef.
According to the Dodo, the wildcat is now at Retscheider Hof wildlife center with another of its kind. Both of them will remain there until they are old enough to be released into the wild. A spokesperson for the wildlife center says they are currently working hard to give both animals the support and care they need. They say they are doing their best to make both felines' stay as comfortable as possible.
The wildcat is a species complex comprising the European wildcat and the African wildcat. The latter wildcat is a bit smaller than the former. Both wildcats are similar to domestic cats but have some distinct characteristics.
Adult European wildcats are usually 20 to 32 inches long and weigh from 6.6 to 22 pounds. They're generally deemed solitary, mostly nocturnal and territorial predators. According to Wildcat Conservation, wildcats are often active also during the day in areas with little human activity.
