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The Mitla is a dog-like cat or vice versa from the Río Madidi area of Bolivia. It was first reported and brought to Western attention by explorer Lieutenant Colonel Percy Fawcett. [1]

Description[]

The Mitla was described by Percy Fawcett as a "black doglike cat about the size of a foxhound".[1][2]

Sightings[]

While travelling in Bolivia between 1906-1914, explorer Percy Fawcett claimed to have seen the Mitla twice. [1]

While on an animal collecting trip to South America, American zoologist Ivan T. Sanderson also claimed on several occasions to have unsuccessfully attempted to shoot at a Mitla. However, he had obtained a legless skin of one, which he likened to that of a huge black serval with pricked ears and tiny lynx-like tail. What happened to the skin afterwards is unknown. [1]

In September 1965, Jersey Zoo director Jeremy Mallinson took an expedition to Bolivia in search of the Mitla. He was unable to uncover its identity. [1]

Explanation[]

While on his expedition, Jeremy Mallinson suggested the Mitla may have been the melanistic form of the jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi).[1] Some authors suspect the Mitla is feline, but others suggest it's more likely a cat-like dog instead.[3]

Biologist Roy Mackla suggests the Mitla is the South American bush dog (Speothos venaaticus). Although, apart from juveniles, the bush dog is reddish-brown in color and has short legs.[1][2]

Cryptozoologist Karl Shuker suggests the Mitla is the Short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis). These canids move with a gracile feline gait.[1][2]

Gallery[]

Sources[]

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