New mammal discovered

The olinguito (Bassaricyon neblina) is the first carnivore species to be discovered in the American continents in 35 years.

The two-pound mammal has large eyes and woolly orange-brown fur. It is native to the cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador, as its scientific name, "neblina" (Spanish for "fog"), hints.

A team, led by Smithsonian scientist Kristofer Helgen, spent 10 years examining hundreds of museum specimens and tracking animals in the wild in the cloud forests of Ecuador. The result, the newest species of mammal known to science, the olinguito.

The olinguito came close to being discovered several times during the past century and was even exhibited in zoos. For example, this female olinguito lived in various zoos in the U.S. decades ago.

The problem was a case of mistaken identity, which was solved with a decade of detective work by Smithsonian scientist Kristofer Helgen and his team, resulting in the description of a new species.

A map showing the distribution of the newly-discovered olinguito.

The olinguito is actually the latest scientifically documented member of the family Procyonidae, which also includes the olingo, shown here at the private reserve of Paz de las Aves near Nanegalito, Ecuador.

An olingo is seen at the private reserve of Paz de las Aves near Nanegalito, Ecuador.

Olingos are relatives of the newly discovered olinguito.

Another member of the Procyonidae family, of which the newly-discovered olinguito belongs, is the raccoon.