COCOMISTLES FOR ZOO

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28552, 3 April 1958, Page 8

COCOMISTLES FOR ZOO

Rare Mexican Animals “The P*esy" Special Sendee WELLINGTON. April 2. Two cacomistles—rare and attractive Mexican animals—hare 'arrived for the Wenington Zoo. A strange link between the civet cat ar.d the well-known but very rare panda family, they resembie both families in their features. Valued at 80/) dollar? they are the last survivors of a species estimatod to number only 11 m the wild. The nmrivors live only ji the Monterey Peninsula in Mexico. The soft and cuddly cocomistles were a gift from the San Diego Zco. California, and reached Wellington aixard the Matson Line freighter Sonoma. “They have the markings of the panda family—dramatic features with clear markings on head and tail, and yet link with the civet* said the curator cf the zco ’Mr C J. Cutler'. “They are just too shy to live.' said Mr Cutler, explaining the great rarity of the animals. “They were once fairly common tn the United States, but land development drove them out. and then they were trapped too heavily to near extinction The cocomistles are now so rare that they are allowed out of America only to zoo curators approved by the Mexican Government Although timid, they make excellent domesUc pets, and respond to kindness. In Wellington they w:H be quarantined for stx months under Government regulaUons.