In the jungle, when catastrophe strikes, tiny animals often rely on big miracles to pull through and survive.
Recently, Honduras-based ARCAS rescued the most precious little baby margay from a raging jungle fire. He was a newborn wild cat, all on his own amidst the scorched earth and roaring flames.
Though the team of wildlife rescuers searched the surrounding area for this jungle cat's mother, she was, unfortunately, nowhere to be found. The team believes she was likely very injured, or worse.
This tiny, helpless animal was rushed to the wildlife rescue facility, where rehabilitators immediately began nursing him back to health.
Thanks to his diligent rescue crew, this adorable margay is getting the care he needs to grow up big and strong.
Keep scrolling through below for a look at this precious little jungle cat, and to learn how we can prevent these sorts of horrors from happening to margays in the future.
[H/T: The Dodo]
Honduras’ ARCAS, a wildlife rescue and conservation organization, recently saved a newly orphaned margay after his mother was lost in a raging forest fire.
When rescuers found this little newborn cat, he was completely alone and craving sustenance.
The crew immediately brought him safely to their wildlife rescue center. There, they began feeding him milk replacements, in lieu of his mother's milk.
Fully grown, these small wild cats typically reach between 9 and 20 pounds in size.
They reside primarily in Latin American countries.
While this particular fire did significantly threaten the tiny margay’s life, fires are not generally the most pressing threat looming over these precious creatures.
The largest threats to their species’ survival are deforestation and the fur trade.
Big Cat Rescue reports that as many as 14,000 margays are killed for their pelts each year.
They also note that this figure is likely severely underestimated.
These small cats are under siege in more ways than one, but thankfully, wildlife rescue and conservation teams like ARCAS are looking out for them.
Creatures as beautiful as these deserve a fair shot at leading happy lives.
This little cutie is a survivor, and thanks to ARCAS, will hopefully grow up big and strong — making his late mother proud.
Despite a tragic setback, ARCAS is helping this tiny margay stay on track towards growing into the strong wildcat he was destined to be.
What do you think of this margay’s rescue? Have you ever seen a margay in person? Let us know in the comments.
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