For the first time, a group of shy, cat-like creatures – small Indian civets (Viverricula indica) – were caught on camera in Pingshan County, Sichuan Province. Local villagers stumbled upon the rare sight just outside Laojunshan National Nature Reserve, and shared the moment with the world.

Once heavily hunted in China for their prized fur and musk, these elusive creatures are under first-class national protection. Their presence just beyond their traditional habitat marks a minor range extension and signals the success of long-term conservation efforts.