WWF picture of the mysterious new creature moving through dense tropical forest in Kalimantan. (Photo: Xinhua/REUTERS)

    Beijing, Dec. 6 (Xinhuanet)-- A cat-like creature photographed on Borneo Island may be a new, mysterious species of carnivore, the World Wildlife Fund announced Tuesday.

    If confirmed, the animal -- which has dark red fur and a long, bushy tail -- would be first new carnivore species discovered on the island since 1895, when the Borneo ferret-badger was found, the organization said.

    Cameras set up to photograph wildlife in Kayan Mentarang National Park on the Indonesian side of Borneo island have twice captured images of the animal, said Stephan Wulffraat, a Dutch biologist who is coordinating the fund's research into the species.

    "We have consulted several Bornean wildlife experts. Some thought it looked like a lemur, but most were convinced it was a new species of carnivore," Wulffraat said.

    "Until we have a live specimen in our hands, we can't be 100 percent sure. Now, I'm only 90 percent sure," he said.

    Researchers hope to confirm the discovery by setting cage traps to catch a live specimen, but warn that Indonesian government's plans to clear the rainforest to create the world's largest palm oil plantation may interfere with plans, WWF said.

    The new mammal was announced in Jakarta at the launch of a WWF publication, Lalut Birai ¡ª The ecology of a rainforest in the Heart of Borneo. Enditem

    (Agencies)