A wolverine, a rare species which is under the first-class state protection in China, was spotted at a reserve in the Greater Hinggan Mountains of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, marking the first appearance of the elusive creature captured on camera in the region.

The creature was captured on infrared cameras at the reserve on November 5, looking for food in snow. The wary animal ran away quickly after a very short appearance on the camera as it got frightened.

"A wolverine looks like a badger in appearance, but it is like a mink in tail, a bear in feet, and a wolf in temper, so it bears the nickname 'Sibuxiang' meaning 'like none of the four.' It is under first-class state protection in China. Spotting the wolverine is very significant for the protection and research on wild animals," said Liu Lichun, director of the Beiqing Forest Resources Management and Conservation Reserve of Songling District.

Wolverine is the largest terrestrial Mustelidae in existence. Currently, there are only about 200 wolverines living in northeast China's Greater Hinggan Mountains.

(All images via VCG)

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