Mitla (cryptid)
Encyclopedia
The Bolivian Mitla, also known as Fawcett's Cat-Dog is a medium-sized carnivoran and described as a cat-like dog or canid-looking felid from the rainforest
in Bolivia
. The report comes from Lieutenant Colonel Percy Fawcett
who spent time in Bolivia between 1906-1914. Jeremy Mallinson
, the director of Jersey Zoo searched for the Mitla in 1960.
The Mitla may be a canid, or a genus of cat similar to the Jaguarundi
.
Some authors suspect that it is feline, but more likely it is a dog, and a relative of the Short-eared Dog
Atelocynus microtis. Dr. Karl Shuker
described it as a mysterious dog
with feline behavior (T. Pietrzak, unpublish.).
The place where Lieutenant Colonel Fawcett saw the mitla may be situated in forests eastern of Cuzco region near to Madidi
jungle (established in 1995 to range Bolivian National Park), (Exploration Fawcett, 1953). This is also where Atelocynus microtis lives, which some writers say is the mitla, although the mitla is almost twice as big, and darker in colour.
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
in Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
. The report comes from Lieutenant Colonel Percy Fawcett
Percy Fawcett
Lt. Colonel Percival Harrison Fawcett was a British artillery officer, archaeologist and South American explorer....
who spent time in Bolivia between 1906-1914. Jeremy Mallinson
Jeremy Mallinson
Jeremy J. C. Mallinson OBE is a famous conservationist associated with the Jersey Zoo and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. He joined the zoo in 1960, but his great dedication saw him become Head of Mammals, and ultimately the Director of the Trust when he retired in 2002. Jeremy Mallinson was...
, the director of Jersey Zoo searched for the Mitla in 1960.
The Mitla may be a canid, or a genus of cat similar to the Jaguarundi
Jaguarundi
The jaguarundi is a small-sized wild cat native to Central and South America. In 2002, the IUCN classified the jaguarundi as Least Concern as it is likely that no conservation units, with the probable exception of the mega-reserves of the Amazon basin could sustain long-term viable populations. It...
.
Some authors suspect that it is feline, but more likely it is a dog, and a relative of the Short-eared Dog
Short-eared Dog
The short-eared dog , also known as the short-eared fox or the short-eared zorro, is a unique and elusive canid species endemic to the Amazonian basin...
Atelocynus microtis. Dr. Karl Shuker
Karl Shuker
Karl P. N. Shuker is a British zoologist, cryptozoologist, and author living in the West Midlands, England. He works as a full-time freelance zoological consultant, media consultant, and noted author specializing in cryptozoology.- Career :...
described it as a mysterious dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
with feline behavior (T. Pietrzak, unpublish.).
The place where Lieutenant Colonel Fawcett saw the mitla may be situated in forests eastern of Cuzco region near to Madidi
Madidi
Madidi is a national park in the upper Amazon river basin in Bolivia. Established in 1995, it has an area of 18,958 square kilometres, and along with nearby protected areas Manuripi-Heath, Apolobamba, and the Manu Biosphere Reserve...
jungle (established in 1995 to range Bolivian National Park), (Exploration Fawcett, 1953). This is also where Atelocynus microtis lives, which some writers say is the mitla, although the mitla is almost twice as big, and darker in colour.
External links
- Bolivian mitla at FromZooMy. The Bolivian mitla - the history of species.T. Pietrzak. 2010. FromZooMy blog.Online published at 14 January 2010.
- FromCryptidMy. The cryptozoology blog for the world.
- List of cryptids. Possible Cryptids of the World by BCSCC.