In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers in the Moroccan Sahara captured what may be the first-ever footage of wild sand cat kittens, shedding light on one of the planet’s most elusive feline species.
The team, led by Gregory Breton, director of Panthera France, and his colleague Alexander Sliwa, made the unexpected find during their final expedition to document sand cats—a species so stealthy that sightings are exceptionally rare.
A Stroke of Luck After a Long Search
At 2 a.m. on September 25, just as the team was about to abandon their search, Sliwa spotted six gleaming eyes reflecting their spotlight from a distance of about four kilometers (2.5 miles) from their campsite. Upon closer inspection, they discovered three sand cat kittens, estimated to be six to eight weeks old, hidden in the bushes.
“This was likely the first time researchers have ever documented wild sand cat kittens in their African range,” Breton told reporters.
A Master of Camouflage
Sand cats (Felis margarita) are notoriously difficult to study. Their pale, sandy-colored fur provides perfect camouflage in desert environments, and they leave almost no tracks. Active primarily at night, they move silently, making them nearly invisible to researchers.
The kittens’ distinctive features—large ears and broad faces—were clearly visible under the team’s spotlights. Shortly after filming, the researchers noticed an adult sand cat nearby, likely the mother, before carefully retreating to avoid disturbing the family.
Expanding Knowledge of a Mysterious Species
Breton’s team, part of the Sand Cat Sahara research project, has now observed 29 sand cats in the wild, radio-collaring 13 of them. Their findings have already challenged previous assumptions.
“Sand cats travel much farther than we expected—more than any other small cat species,” Breton said. “But we still don’t know why.”
With limited existing research on sand cats, this discovery provides a rare opportunity to learn more about their behavior, reproduction, and survival in harsh desert conditions.
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